Yesterday, I awoke to the fresh snow and roads that were worse than they'd been even in recent days. I saw the morning paper with a headline shouting that the DPW vowed to do a better job clearing the streets this time and I wondered what was up.

The day before, a group of alderman balked at the response to the weekend's deluge of snow, sleet and freezing rain. That's what led to the DPW's vow.

So, first thing yesterday morning, on the way to a meeting, the roads were awful, although I'll give a cheer to Tosa, which had already done a yeoman's job of clearing and salting by 7:45 a.m. After the meeting, I drove east and found the roads -- including I-94 -- still pretty bad. At nearly 10 a.m.

That's when I was prepared to rant and rave. But I held my tongue and I was happy to see that last night things were much, much better. For the first time in a week, our street and the neighboring ones were properly cleared and driving even on the side streets was pretty easy -- as long as you were careful. And someone even plowed part of our alley (hooray)!

I'm happy to see that the DPW really did step it up as promised. I wish I could say the same for Milwaukee citizens. Driving on the West Side, the Southwest Side and the East Side, I've seen lots and lots of unshoveled sidewalks.

Come on neighbors. The mail carrier needs to get through and so do people walking to the store and, yes, sometimes kids headed to school. If you don't have the time, the back strength or the inclination, enlist some help, but clear your sidewalk. It's not only the considerate thing to do and your duty as a good neighbor, but it's also the law.