Christine Hampton
Dear editor:
Please accept this as an open letter to the Town of Fort Frances.
During the Christmas holidays, I visited the downtown on a number of occasions but was very disappointed with the town’s snow removal efforts. Although Scott Street had lots of available parking, it was a challenge for passengers to get out of the vehicle once we were parked.
The next challenge was climbing over the two-foot frozen snowbank to get onto the sidewalk. Then after some additional snowfall, the banks had increased to around three feet in size.
My mother and father-in-law, aged 79 and 94, respectively, managed to climb the frozen mess at the edge of the street but quite frankly I don’t feel they should have to. Why can’t the town plow the snow to the centre of the street and remove it like other towns such as International Falls and Dryden?
Personally, I believe the banks are a hazard and discourage people from shopping and attending appointments in the downtown.
If you talk to the downtown business owners, they will tell you they have raised the issue numerous times. Many try to shovel the banks in front of their stores but where are they supposed to put the snow?
Perhaps the town could do a better job of downtown snow removal in 2011 than they did in 2010.
Respectfully,
Christine Hampton
