As a City of Milwaukee resident and homeowner, this press release offered welcome news this week:
"Alderman Ashanti Hamilton has announced that the 1st Aldermanic District will be part of a city-sponsored pilot program for snow plowing this winter within specific alley sections. The Department of Public Works’ trial program will provide city officials with valuable information to determine the feasibility and cost of plowing alleys citywide.
"Under the pilot, snow plows will clear snow after a minimum accumulation of three inches. The selected alley sections are within the boundaries of W. Olive and W. Capitol Dr. between N. 13th and N. 17th Streets, and W. Sheridan Ave. and W. Silver Spring Dr. between N. 35th and N. 42nd Streets.
"Alderman Hamilton is happy that the 1st District has been selected for the pilot program: 'This program will greatly reduce the burden of clearing snow for residents, and we are hoping that the pilot will be successful. Thanks to the Department of Public Works for selecting our district for this unique opportunity.'
"DPW will assess if additional pilot demonstration areas are necessary after the 2015-2016 snow season."
I don't live in the 1st District, but I'm hoping this plan gains a foothold and is expanded city-wide.
Don't get me wrong, the guy who plows my alley every year does a great job. But, first I have the mail the check off to him every November and then hit up the neighbors who have agreed to chip in. That's less fun than you might think.
Of course, I wouldn't expect the city to plow my driveway, but the alley is a public thoroughfare, which serves as access not only to my garage and those of my neighbors, but also for the city's own garbage and recycling trucks, Milwaukee Police Dept. and Fire Dept. vehicles, and a host of other parties, from WE Energies to Time Warner Cable to private trash haulers who empty the dumpsters of multi-unit buildings.
Much of this city was designed with alleys instead of private driveways that access the streets directly. There's no real justification why I and four neighbors should have to fund the plowing of what really is a public, city-owned street (sans sidewalks), especially when a couple dozen homeowners live along the alley and already pay generously in property tax and the city itself uses the roadway on a regular basis.
Now, I never complain about paying taxes. In fact, when I posted a picture of myself shaking hands with City Treasurer Spencer Coggs while paying dropping off my check at City Hall a couple years ago, someone commented that I'm the only person they know who is happy to pay property tax. It's not that I'm happy about it so much as that I understand that services need to be funded.
The plowing of the city's alleys is something that I'd argue ought to be included in the price.
What do you think, fellow Milwaukeeans?
Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., where he lived until he was 17, Bobby received his BA-Mass Communications from UWM in 1989 and has lived in Walker's Point, Bay View, Enderis Park, South Milwaukee and on the East Side.
He has published three non-fiction books in Italy – including one about an event in Milwaukee history, which was published in the U.S. in autumn 2010. Four more books, all about Milwaukee, have been published by The History Press.
With his most recent band, The Yell Leaders, Bobby released four LPs and had a songs featured in episodes of TV's "Party of Five" and "Dawson's Creek," and films in Japan, South America and the U.S. The Yell Leaders were named the best unsigned band in their region by VH-1 as part of its Rock Across America 1998 Tour. Most recently, the band contributed tracks to a UK vinyl/CD tribute to the Redskins and collaborated on a track with Italian novelist Enrico Remmert.
He's produced three installments of the "OMCD" series of local music compilations for OnMilwaukee.com and in 2007 produced a CD of Italian music and poetry.
In 2005, he was awarded the City of Asti's (Italy) Journalism Prize for his work focusing on that area. He has also won awards from the Milwaukee Press Club.
He has be heard on 88Nine Radio Milwaukee talking about his "Urban Spelunking" series of stories, in that station's most popular podcast.
