Comments on: Snowplowing in D-3, let’s set the record straight http://www.terimurrison.com/2009/02/snowplowing-in-d-3-lets-set-the-record-straight/ Teri Murrison's blog & Shepherd's Crook consulting Sat, 04 Feb 2012 20:10:04 +0000 hourly 1 By: Teri Murrison http://www.terimurrison.com/2009/02/snowplowing-in-d-3-lets-set-the-record-straight/comment-page-1/#comment-177 Teri Murrison Mon, 16 Feb 2009 20:43:58 +0000 http://www.terimurrison.com/?p=1030#comment-177 County snow removal policy is found in Chapter 10 of our Ordinance Code at: <a href="http://portal.co.tuolumne.ca.us/psp/ps/TUP_COUNTY_COUNSEL/ENTP/c/TU_DEPT_MENU.TU_DOC_LIST.GBL?action=U&CONTENT_PNM=EMPLOYEE&CATGID=2224." rel="nofollow">http://portal.co.tuolumne.ca.us/psp/ps/TUP_COUNTY...</a> Public Works <em>"<strong>may</strong> [emphasis added] remove... any vehicle parked or left standing on the traveled way [and right of way]..."</em> I was told last year plows are slow because of all the obstacles in the roads. Staff said they'd ticket/tow everything and presented a plan to hire an extra help law enforcement officer to take care of it. But that didn't acknowledge the lack of offstreet parking in many areas, so instead enforcement must be selective. I was greatly bothered by the inconsistencies in what we said we'd do and what we do. So the info we distribute will be changed to say on-street parking MAY be a problem and your car MAY be towed. But it MAY not. Look for a bright pink notice on your vehicle and Barry will try to contact you before he sends a tow truck. Call 533-6533 and ask someone to stop by your house to be sure. County snow removal policy is found in Chapter 10 of our Ordinance Code at: http://portal.co.tuolumne.ca.us/psp/ps/TUP_COUNTY…

Public Works "may [emphasis added] remove… any vehicle parked or left standing on the traveled way [and right of way]…" I was told last year plows are slow because of all the obstacles in the roads. Staff said they'd ticket/tow everything and presented a plan to hire an extra help law enforcement officer to take care of it. But that didn't acknowledge the lack of offstreet parking in many areas, so instead enforcement must be selective.

I was greatly bothered by the inconsistencies in what we said we'd do and what we do. So the info we distribute will be changed to say on-street parking MAY be a problem and your car MAY be towed. But it MAY not. Look for a bright pink notice on your vehicle and Barry will try to contact you before he sends a tow truck. Call 533-6533 and ask someone to stop by your house to be sure.

]]> By: Michelle Pryschuk http://www.terimurrison.com/2009/02/snowplowing-in-d-3-lets-set-the-record-straight/comment-page-1/#comment-175 Michelle Pryschuk Mon, 16 Feb 2009 20:39:19 +0000 http://www.terimurrison.com/?p=1030#comment-175 Remember the Perils of Pauline? I have a new installment called the Perils of Parking. I have tried in vain to search for the actual parking laws in snow conditions on line. It isn't in the Parking section of the Driving handbook. How can I find it? What if every citizen converged upon the county courthouse seeking that information, or perhaps a copy of all the laws that apply to us. God forbid that we have to weed through all the information to find what we are specifically looking for. We live in the mountains & snow is a reality. Many of us have steep driveways. If we return home during a snow storm & can't get up the driveway where do you suggest that we park? I really don't believe that people are parking along side the roadways in a pre-determined effort to thwart the snow plow drivers. Niether can I think that people are randomly leaving something as expensive as a car in harms way on purpose. I understand that the snow plow drivers have a difficult job to do & that we all need to do our part in helping them safely do their job. But citizens can't comply with the laws if the regulations are playing hide & seek. Remember the Perils of Pauline? I have a new installment called the Perils of Parking. I have tried in vain to search for the actual parking laws in snow conditions on line. It isn't in the Parking section of the Driving handbook. How can I find it? What if every citizen converged upon the county courthouse seeking that information, or perhaps a copy of all the laws that apply to us. God forbid that we have to weed through all the information to find what we are specifically looking for.
We live in the mountains & snow is a reality. Many of us have steep driveways. If we return home during a snow storm & can't get up the driveway where do you suggest that we park? I really don't believe that people are parking along side the roadways in a pre-determined effort to thwart the snow plow drivers. Niether can I think that people are randomly leaving something as expensive as a car in harms way on purpose.
I understand that the snow plow drivers have a difficult job to do & that we all need to do our part in helping them safely do their job. But citizens can't comply with the laws if the regulations are playing hide & seek.

]]> By: Teri Murrison http://www.terimurrison.com/2009/02/snowplowing-in-d-3-lets-set-the-record-straight/comment-page-1/#comment-166 Teri Murrison Mon, 09 Feb 2009 16:14:14 +0000 http://www.terimurrison.com/?p=1030#comment-166 If anyone knows, you do, Steve! I appreciate your support for utilizing other means. Snowplowing is on our agenda tomorrow for further discussion. A strong outpouring of public support for hiring the part-time, temporary law enforcement officer is what it will take. Thanks for speaking out! Teri If anyone knows, you do, Steve! I appreciate your support for utilizing other means. Snowplowing is on our agenda tomorrow for further discussion. A strong outpouring of public support for hiring the part-time, temporary law enforcement officer is what it will take. Thanks for speaking out! Teri

]]> By: Steve Lampl http://www.terimurrison.com/2009/02/snowplowing-in-d-3-lets-set-the-record-straight/comment-page-1/#comment-165 Steve Lampl Mon, 09 Feb 2009 10:04:48 +0000 http://www.terimurrison.com/?p=1030#comment-165 Hello Teri, I believe you've done an excellent job of attempting to explain the snow plowing situation. Though I am now retired, keeping the county roadways, especially those in the higher elevations, clear for plowing has been a tedious job. Often while I was still working, the most patrol units available at a time to assist in removal of vehicles to facilitate plowing was perhaps three. Other times, only one unit was available due to collisions and other calls for service. Many times, these removal efforts were hampered by inability to contact vehicle owners and long waits for tow trucks. On top of this, the emergent nature of required plowing in certain areas (steep sections of Crystal Falls, Phoenix Lake Road, Twain Harte Drive, and other areas prone to traffic collisions) delayed the availability of plows in other areas also needing service. Everyone needs to do our part to ensure the plows can work in all areas in a timely and safe manner. If this means utilizing other means to assist with or compel vehicle removal, then perhaps that needs to occur. Hello Teri,

I believe you've done an excellent job of attempting to explain the snow plowing situation. Though I am now retired, keeping the county roadways, especially those in the higher elevations, clear for plowing has been a tedious job. Often while I was still working, the most patrol units available at a time to assist in removal of vehicles to facilitate plowing was perhaps three. Other times, only one unit was available due to collisions and other calls for service. Many times, these removal efforts were hampered by inability to contact vehicle owners and long waits for tow trucks. On top of this, the emergent nature of required plowing in certain areas (steep sections of Crystal Falls, Phoenix Lake Road, Twain Harte Drive, and other areas prone to traffic collisions) delayed the availability of plows in other areas also needing service. Everyone needs to do our part to ensure the plows can work in all areas in a timely and safe manner. If this means utilizing other means to assist with or compel vehicle removal, then perhaps that needs to occur.

]]> By: Snowplowing in D-3, let’s set the record straight | Teri Murrison - attopbusiness http://www.terimurrison.com/2009/02/snowplowing-in-d-3-lets-set-the-record-straight/comment-page-1/#comment-163 Snowplowing in D-3, let’s set the record straight | Teri Murrison - attopbusiness Fri, 06 Feb 2009 23:32:11 +0000 http://www.terimurrison.com/?p=1030#comment-163 [...] Anyone who knows me will tell you that I am concerned about the proliferation of laws enacted on a daily basis in the county, state, and country. But actually I was attempting to compel Public Works to consistently enforce the No … Read more [...] [...] Anyone who knows me will tell you that I am concerned about the proliferation of laws enacted on a daily basis in the county, state, and country. But actually I was attempting to compel Public Works to consistently enforce the No … Read more [...]

]]> By: Teri Murrison http://www.terimurrison.com/2009/02/snowplowing-in-d-3-lets-set-the-record-straight/comment-page-1/#comment-162 Teri Murrison Fri, 06 Feb 2009 19:46:15 +0000 http://www.terimurrison.com/?p=1030#comment-162 Thanks, Peter! Thanks, Peter!

]]> By: Peter Jelito http://www.terimurrison.com/2009/02/snowplowing-in-d-3-lets-set-the-record-straight/comment-page-1/#comment-161 Peter Jelito Fri, 06 Feb 2009 19:44:22 +0000 http://www.terimurrison.com/?p=1030#comment-161 Teri I am amused when I hear the stories of people who complain that either their roads did not get plowed or their driveway was gifted with a berm or their car got towed or all three. Well, you are right, that we can not please everyone and it is a shame that the UD reporter can not get their story right which only causes for some people to complain to you. Hang in there; soon we have not to worry since Al Gore predicts global warming and we may not get any snow in the near future, or even the sky may fall, who knows. Ice ages have come and gone and so have warming periods and the earth survived; maybe not all creatures, though. Teri
I am amused when I hear the stories of people who complain that either their roads did not get plowed or their driveway was gifted with a berm or their car got towed or all three. Well, you are right, that we can not please everyone and it is a shame that the UD reporter can not get their story right which only causes for some people to complain to you. Hang in there; soon we have not to worry since Al Gore predicts global warming and we may not get any snow in the near future, or even the sky may fall, who knows. Ice ages have come and gone and so have warming periods and the earth survived; maybe not all creatures, though.

]]> By: Your guy Rusty http://www.terimurrison.com/2009/02/snowplowing-in-d-3-lets-set-the-record-straight/comment-page-1/#comment-159 Your guy Rusty Fri, 06 Feb 2009 17:27:28 +0000 http://www.terimurrison.com/?p=1030#comment-159 I can not belive you could be misquoted in our Union Democrat ( formerly "Daily Union Democrat", D.U.D.) But I did want to know you have more heart then reported. I have enjoyed many times charging into Harvey's office,to explain what meant, not as it was reported. I was, and still am the P.R. Rep. for the Friends of the Sierra Rail Road.I was right in the middle of pro railroaders, and the 'Not in my back yard folks.Thank goodness the D.U.D. was always there for us, or there would not be a Railtown today. Keep up the good fight, and don't let the BUGGERS where you down. Yours, R. J. and Shari I can not belive you could be misquoted in our Union Democrat ( formerly "Daily Union Democrat", D.U.D.) But I did want to know you have more heart then reported. I have enjoyed many times charging into Harvey's office,to explain what meant, not as it was reported. I was, and still am the P.R. Rep. for the Friends of the Sierra Rail Road.I was right in the middle of pro railroaders, and the 'Not in my back yard folks.Thank goodness the D.U.D. was always there for us, or there would not be a Railtown today. Keep up the good fight, and don't let the BUGGERS where you down.
Yours, R. J. and Shari

]]> By: Teri http://www.terimurrison.com/2009/02/snowplowing-in-d-3-lets-set-the-record-straight/comment-page-1/#comment-160 Teri Fri, 06 Feb 2009 16:15:36 +0000 http://www.terimurrison.com/?p=1030#comment-160 Thanks, Rusty & Shari! The Union Democrat and their reporters have a tough job trying to accurately convey what is said at the Board meetings where there is so much more said than could ever be captured in a few column inches. That is precisely why for the past two years I have continued to advocate for online video of Board meetings. I will continue to do so. You should be able to get on the county website and easily play back the portion of the meeting you want to hear, but until the Board budgets for it, it can't happen. The reality is that with the current budget crisis, it may not happen this year either. In the meantime, you CAN listen live to every Tuesday morning Board meeting (audio only) on KVML AM 1450 and www.MyMotherLode.com. Please do that. The public has a right to know what is being said <em>and done</em> downtown - especially when they can't be there. Thanks, Rusty & Shari! The Union Democrat and their reporters have a tough job trying to accurately convey what is said at the Board meetings where there is so much more said than could ever be captured in a few column inches. That is precisely why for the past two years I have continued to advocate for online video of Board meetings. I will continue to do so.

You should be able to get on the county website and easily play back the portion of the meeting you want to hear, but until the Board budgets for it, it can’t happen. The reality is that with the current budget crisis, it may not happen this year either. In the meantime, you CAN listen live to every Tuesday morning Board meeting (audio only) on KVML AM 1450 and http://www.MyMotherLode.com. Please do that.

The public has a right to know what is being said and done downtown – especially when they can’t be there.

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