leftofcenter "The City is supposed to pay for city services for everyone" That is correct. I don't use the senior center, library, parks, etc., should I therefore not have to pay for them? No, they are part of what makes this a community. It's not always about what is best for the individual.

Those that want an ice arena, should pay for an ice arena. I have never stepped foot in it, and have lived here all my life. The City is supposed to pay for city services for everyone, not entertainment for a percentage.

Janesville homeowners,

Call your council members and tell them you want a new ice rink added to the budget. They want to hear from everyone so they can make a represented vote. It will only take 10 minutes to call all of them, and leave a kind brief message to add the ice rink.

**These are all public record contacts to council members

*William Truman 758-9700
Kathleen Voskull 754-7116
George Brunner 754-5336
Thomas McDonald 756 -2000
Frank Perrotto 741 -1922
Yuri Rashkin 754 -2424
Russ Steeber 758-1631

If you think it is difficult to drive on these winter-crummy streets, try being someone who has to walk them. Can we hold the city accountable if we fall climbing over the ruts while trying to board a city bus?

Napalm: You work from your home, right?

Janesville homeowners,

Call your council members and tell them you want a new ice rink added to the budget. They want to hear from everyone so they can make a represented vote. It will only take 10 minutes to call all of them, and leave a kind brief message to add the ice rink.

**These are all public record contacts to council members

*William Truman 758-9700
Kathleen Voskull 754-7116
George Brunner 754-5336
Thomas McDonald 756 -2000
Frank Perrotto 741 -1922
Yuri Rashkin 754 -2424
Russ Steeber 758-1631
Beenthere I agree, call your councilman now!

Pete, this is a direct quote from your posting: "I say continue plowing, and cut the Ice Rink to cover the bill.
We could cover 10 years of quality plowing, and trash removal for $1.1 Million dollars which the Ice Rink project costs."
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This is a real turnaround for you. Usually, when it does not directly impact you, your suggestion is to either buy the owner out....as in the case of the bar or move. Since you are having such a problem with this issue. I suggest that you buy a plow and do the plowing for Janesville or move south where there isn't any snow or the issues involving the children's museum, ice rink, bike tunnel, Tallman House...ROFL. Just giving you some of your own advice.

Goodness, the carrying on here. I think Napalm hit the real nail on the head.
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The snow plowing service in Janesville is very good. I've lived lots of places and comparatively, Janesville stacks up well. It's just snow. It's temporary. Adjust your speeds.
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The annual comparisons to Beloit are way off base, too. I lived there, travel there a lot still, and it's really no different.
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I think Janesville does a fine job.

One day last winter the snow was so deep on my street I could't get to work because my neighbor's 4x4 was stuck right in front of my driveway. Yes you 4 wheel drive fans - a 4x4 was stuck in the snow. Also, I don't know how many times over the years I've seen snow plows driving down a snow covered/icy street - with the blade of the plow up, not laying down salt - just driving around. What's up with that!! And that's not a waste of money?!?

Ive been driving in WI for 18 years. Dealing with snow is not new to me. I have zero problems. Ever hear of "Personal Accountability"? Ive been at my current job 4 years, been late ZERO time and missed ZERO days. Why? Im prepared. ...Personal accountability.

I don't want plowing, it gives me an excuse to call in to work. Plus, public plowing is even more socialist than the public roads themselves. Plows or plowing services should be purchased by individuals for the purpose of economic stimulation.

2.9 on tuesday 2.8 on wed. 2.8 on thurday so on and so on adds up to what? I lived on a side steet and was not plowed for a majority of the time until it was packed beyond removal so this is no news as to plowing.

Raise taxes for stupid stuff. pay for extra garbage now. but cannot plow.??!!

I dont think they give a hoot!! more money for stupid crap. FIRE THEM ALL I SAY!! They dont listen to people. I have emailed them and I get a normal "politician reply"

I have lived in the area for only two years. I moved from northern il. They take better care of all the roads for snow removal why is it so different here? i lived on a dead end street with better snow removal then they do on the main roads here. Why so such and difference? The snow is about the same here as there? If i didnt have a awd drive car i would be screwed getting to and from work. That means less revenue for the city. Do they not understand there is consiquinces to there actions of not plowing properly.

I also heard no the radio theyre going to change the timing of when you need to clear sidewalk. isnt it 12 hours now? any less and we are screwed. some people WORK you know. It may take a bit longer than 12 hours. they talked about sub contracting to get sidewalks clean- are you really going to get a fine out of a FORECLOSED homeowner!! NOT.

We went for a walk last year and milton av was terrible. I assume most were rentals. one was vacant and it was a FOOT high. It had a snow ramp to get on top of the walk- my guess NO FINE or dont care if they had one.

I also believe people think if the city DOESNT plow the road why should I have to do the sidewalk!!

I agree PLOW THE ROAD. I have 4x4 but as some said when it gets ruts and thick ice it isnt safe for anybody. If you move near a (private)school the roads will be SPOT free I have noticed my road WOW !!

I also agree spend the money on roads and stop with the stupid stuff already.

I also agree the 3inch rule is dumb. Like somebody said take 5 inch of fluffy over 2 inch nasty stuff.

Your tax dollars at work!We will never get the things we actually need when our council's priorities are An icd rink, childrens museum, and a bike tunnel! We really need our streets plowed in the winter and not all of us can afford 4x4"s especially in this economy! some of us still have a job!

$15,000 to combat poverty.. What the heck will that buy? 3" of snow hardens into 3" of ice. 3 2" snow falls and there is 6" of snow and ice deeply routed into the existing cracks in the pavement. As cars drive and the ice is finally scraped, the pavement is wrecked. Now how much did you save...

We live on a small street and don't get our streets plowed as much as some streets. So all it does is melt, freeze, melt, freeze and its terrible. Last year I called the city to see if they could at least sand the street, you would slide right by your driveway, and they did send out the sander which helped for a short time. If the streets are not plowed and they get so icy, you won't be able to stop at stop signs either, whose going to pay for all the fender benders? I think the streets need to be safer than some of these other projects.

It's not the snowplowers , they plow when and how management tells them to. they are routes they follow (some road must be first and some road last) Sometimes they olny salt--again management calls.

I see the snow whiners are getting an early start this year.

"I actually had to use my snowblower on THE STREET to get my vehicles out of my driveway because of this stupid 3" rule." □■□■□■□■□■□■ Does this really surprise you? I thought this was the norm. I have been taking my snow blower out on the streets ever since I moved here from Beloit back in '77.

does this mean i dont have to shovel my sidewalk until theres at least 3 inches

Woodsman, while I appreciate the sentiment I drive a 4x4 Tahoe, should have plenty of ground clearance, but last year the ice and ruts were so bad on my street it was like driving a lumber wagon and 4wd does not help when all four are on ice, it was terrible. The main streets were fine for me but I have to drive through residentials to get home, something needs to change, ask the people that plow snow should they not have a better idea as to what is safe and what is not rather than the city council. As for our city manager being from Sedona, it should make no difference as I am sure he knows the difference between 2 inches of snow on the ground and an accumulation of 2 inches per day for a week. Maybe I should get a plow and put it on my truck at least my area would be safe, is it legal to plow your own street?

Last year I had a "non-green" vehicle, has all wheel drive and almost got stuck on my own street because the snow was so high. The neighbors had to use their own snow blowers down the street to get another neighbor 10 feet into his own driveway because his car got stuck. It already seems like it takes forever to get to my street. If they wait until there are at least 3 inches on the ground there will probably be 10 on my street by the time they get to it.

Janesville homeowners,

Call your council members and tell them you want a new ice rink added to the budget. They want to hear from everyone so they can make a represented vote. It will only take 10 minutes to call all of them, and leave a kind brief message to add the ice rink.

**These are all public record contacts to council members

*William Truman 758-9700
Kathleen Voskull 754-7116
George Brunner 754-5336
Thomas McDonald 756 -2000
Frank Perrotto 741 -1922
Yuri Rashkin 754 -2424
Russ Steeber 758-1631

You want to lower your taxes, close city hall, that way they can't spend money.

mr. levitt is going back to work on the plan -- he's from sedona, az -- annual snowfall in sedona, az? ZERO

What are we all going to do without the G.M. plant?? You people will have to drive the jap crap puddle jumpers,oh i love my 4X4. Long live the big trucks!! NO FEAR

ray53511 - wherever you heard that it is false. Get the proper car suited to the region you live in.

Here is what we should do. Have Beloit give Janesville a call each time that city plows its streets. This will then alert Janesville to get out its plows. The Beloit streets are usually easy to navigate throughout the winter; that city must be doing something that Janesville is missing.

Is the city aware that a front wheel drive car plowing through 3 inches of snow can cause the snow to be buried in the engine and throw the belt off the car? Ask any mechanic they will confirm this who will pay to fix the cars? They city i highly doubt it.

I am absolutely amazed! It is incredible that Dan Lassiter was able to take a picture of one of the rarest sights in Southern Wisconsin; a truck plowing snow in Janesville. Order a reprint now so you can show your grandchildren.

Weezer is RIGHT ON and stole my thunder. I complained last year or the year before, and they told me about the minimum snowfall rule, to which I replied "Well, when it snows 2 inches every other day for two weeks, it adds up to more than three inches, and my wife gets the car stuck just getting out of the driveway!!" I was interviewed by the Gazette regarding my complaint to the city. I never did see if they quoted me.. That's what the quote would have been. Last year, before I left for Afghanistan, I actually had to use my snowblower on THE STREET to get my vehicles out of my driveway because of this stupid 3" rule.

Actually....if the city would authorize and train Bob Spodens's week-enders to drive a plow, we'd have the cleanest streets in the midwest. And I'm not kidding folks...time to think outside the box.

Put a plow on the Zamboni....give Stan Milam the keys...I guarantee every street in Janesville will get plowed...if there is even a dusting of snow.

I agree with those that say, Hey, you live in a Snowy State. Get the proper transportation, not a car that rides 4" off the road and then complain that you are stuck. Gas mileage is great in the summer, but I won't pull your "Green" car out in the middle of January. jmo

People need to learn how to drive in snow. Welcome to Wisconsin. Act like you live here. I agree, under 3" no need. Get a real car that can go through the snow....after all you DO live in WI. Duh.

City services comes first!
SALT and PLOW at the same time!
Real cities do it all the time...

Dump the Ice Rink into private or wholly sponsored status, and put that money back into plowing and salting!

This is so simple - why isn't the Council listening???

the problem is that when you get 2 inches 5 times with out plowing then it melts a little that causes 18 inch ruts. it happens every stinking year. just plow the stupid roads everytime it snows and stop paying city managers that dont work here $100,000 a year.......... duh!!!!!!!!!

Maybe it won't snow this winter and we won't have this problem! ;) (Wishful thinking!)

Let's just plow on Friday mornings, before the big weekend shopping days.
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Setting up criteria that is so limiting does not serve the public, nor the drivers of the snow removal equipment. Last year on some of our residential streets the ice was so "washboard" and "rutted", it nearly tore our car apart.
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Could a "streets dept" expert from a larger town provide some expertise in preparing a budget, or removal criteria? Is it that Janesville is getting larger all the time (in street miles), but the minds that create the budget are still proposing obsolete dollar amounts that don't work anymore? (My uncle still can't understand paying more than $7 for a folding chair for the card table set!)
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Yes, taxes drive the gov't budgets. But if we can't drive to work, especially if our cars are broken or stuck in the ruts, no taxes are going to be earned to be paid.
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Let ice rinks fund themselves - collect customer use fees or solicit private sponsors. The only ice skating I do is on my own streets. I want my taxes to go to clear the roads.
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The more people who benefit from a service, the higher the priority.

The city of janesville has never taken proper care of the streets and never will. In the 18 years I've lived here the streets have been a joke in the winter. I say its bad leadership at the top of the street department. Why waste the gas and salt dumping it several inches of snow that does nothing but to make it more slippery when you could put a plow on that truck and do the plowing and salting both at once. Im sure the salt would work better on a plowed street and I would think there would be some kind of savings in the fuel and salt. Also when the streets are melting and there are piles of slush in the middle of the lanes and center lines, why dont the plows you see on the streets have their plows down at the very least spreading out the slush to melt it faster.

Only Janesville politicians could waste such time debating when to plow snow. Here's an idea...when it's on the ground and seems to be causing a traffic problem, why do we need to set inch limits? Isn't it possible that it might snow heavier in one area of town than another? Might drifting be a problem in some places more than others? Of course, but let's try and find some simple inch limit so that we can justify not providing services to taxpayers, then we can go spend that money on tunnels, historic houses nobody visits, studies on roundabouts, etc. The Titanic sinks and the band plays on...

Who pays for the tow truck when my car is stuck in the road? Probably the same person that buys news tires went they get tore up hitting potholes.