NewsLanc’s editor asked reporter and city downtown dweller Cliff Lewis: “Were you aware that the Parking Authority was offering free parking to residents during the snow emergency? Was that mentioned in the local newspapers?
Lewis’s response was:
“As far as I understand it, this policy is fairly common knowledge—at least to city residents like myself. I just checked back and confirmed that it was, in fact, discussed in the Intell this week. Snow emergency updates on the City website always draw attention to the available service.
“When the City declares a snow emergency, that means that residents of certain ‘snow emergency routes’ —like myself on West Orange—are not permitted to park on those streets to allow for optimal plowing. Obviously, those people need somewhere to park, so the City makes those garages available free of charge.”
A tip of the hat to the City and the State for their prompt and effective efforts to clear downtown sidewalks at intersections and downtown streets. By midday Satuday all snow had been removed from James Street as result of concentrated efforts early in the morning of construction equipment and dump trucks. (Of course that was in front of the mayor’s house….True, but just kidding.)
What a contrast to the bungling of snow removal in 2009!