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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Can somebody explain to me why the county will be clearing snow from low income and minority areas? Why this group and the other group? They cite high traffic and accidents but it feels more like they don’t think we are capable of understanding or following laws so they’re just going to lower the bar for us (I’m Latina).

This bothers me because special exemption bills and laws like this end up creating resentment towards all of our groups.

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Racial equity is about providing access.  There are already multiple barriers than impede wealth creation and challenging commutes is one of them.    It's not about individual people of color, but the fact that when looked at by group demographic data, AA and Latino/a residents have worse outcomes in every measure -- wealth, income, education, health care, housing, etc.

I've always been white but I have lived in very low income areas and now in upper middle class areas.    The ability to access EVERYTHING is so much easier now.   They are like two different worlds.   MoCo is already much better at providing access to many services, including public transportation.  This would make it a little easier.    The cost benefit analysis is up for debate, for sure.   But this is one of their equity approaches that I actually agree with in theory.  [/quote]

I’m op . I appreciate your thoughtful response. I didn’t think I had to disclose this in my question but I am a Hispanic/Latina woman. My family lives in the county and does your landscaping, carpentry work, painting and childcare. I am not a troll and unlike the other person, I don’t want more pedestrian fatalities. But I do not like that the county thinks that low income/minority people aren’t capable of following the same rules. This might sound strange to some of you but I actually find it offensive that the bar is lowered. What I see happening is this will create resentment for us. Because if it’s a question about ability, there are many people in the entire county who are unable to shovel their own sidewalks so why don’t they get the benefit? Somebody upthread said they were single mother or elderly.

There are many great programs that do help with equity, this one just has me scratching my head a little bit.

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Low income areas often have more families with young children, more elderly people, and more people with disabilities than wealthier neighborhoods.  And, of course, many, if not most people in wealthier neighborhoods are paying for snow removal, so that they don’t have to risk leaving their kids, or risking their health to clear the snow themselves. OP, I’m curious.  [b]How many sidewalks have you cleared yourself? How many elderly people or handicapped people have you shoveled sidewalks for[/b]?  Are you scratching your head and creating reasons to feel offended while other people are doing the work ?

Maybe this will help: Some of us recognize that we’re part of a community.  I’m fine with being a part of a community that values pedestrian safety.

If you’re not a troll, then you should recognize that you’re one of many people who post with curious questions posed just like Tucker Carlson’s.  You’ve got lots of company in your bewilderment and head scratching, and your insistence on “rules” even when the rules may not make nearly as much sense as more effective and more efficient alternatives.

Here’s some reading for you.

https://wtop.com/health-fitness/2022/01/strenuous-snow-shoveling-can-be-bad-for-your-heart-when-to-call-911/

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I’ll bite. Since you’re asking I always shovel and clear my driveway and sidewalk and driveways and sidewalks of two different elderly neighbors.  And before you ask, I also mow their lawns in the summertime as well. [/quote]

Great! It’s heartening to know that you make an effort to be a good neighbor.  [/quote]

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