To the Editor:
I am angered by the reluctance of some homeowners to clean the snow from the sidewalks of their property. I am talking about snow that has not been removed four to five days after the storm. Some of the properties that have not been cleaned have realtor signs in front of them and some of them are unoccupied. Who is responsible for cleaning these properties? How could the owner of a property know the snow conditions here in Bayonne if they lived across the country? Does not the realtor have some responsibility in that case?
I understand that some of the negligent homeowners and store owners would rather pay the fine than clean the snow. They may pay the fine but do not remove the snow. This is unfair for those who have to navigate unsafe sidewalks; senior citizens, mail deliverers, people with baby carriages, and pedestrians in general.
The city should increase the penalty for the violation of the ordinance concerning snow removal. Fines should be made high enough to force landlords to abide by the law. Times are hard and the city needs money, maybe we should be looking to crack down on those who violate this and other city ordinances. Our pedestrians and our city would both come out winners.
An angry pedestrian and homeowner.
MARION R. COONEY