From the Mayor’s Desk
We recently experienced a major snow event with the coldest sustained temperatures in years. When forecasts called for up to ten inches of snow, city staff shared requests on social media and our digital signs asking residents to clear vehicles and obstacles from the streets and you delivered. Most streets remained fully accessible, and our snowplow drivers were very thankful. Please let’s continue this cooperation for every snow event.
Ward 3 Councilman Rodney Mullins and I rode along with the crews to see firsthand what this work requires. Navigating hills, cul-de-sacs, dead ends, and narrow streets takes skill and experience. Only three drivers have more than ten years on the job, and the team also includes Parks Department staff and a code enforcement inspector. Clearing Janet Drive was particularly memorable. It is a steep dead-end road in Ward 4. Imagine backing the heavy dump truck down the street, mostly sliding slowly backward, and then pulling out pushing snow and slinging salt. When we got back up, the driver, Brad, looked at me and asked if I was ready to go again. I replied, “Absolutely”, he had to plow both lanes after all.
The ride along taught me that snow removal crews address the most challenging routes with steep hills, curves, and tight areas first. On some streets, there is limited space to push snow, and driveway entrances will inevitably be covered again. It is not possible to clear streets without recovering the ends of driveways. Please be patient and tolerant about this. Once the most challenging areas are addressed, crews head to the flatter
streets. We ask for your patience and understanding as flatter streets are cleared later.
Please be safe on the roads. MODOT, Jefferson County, and St. Louis County are doing a great job, and we appreciate all the crews working through difficult conditions.
Finally, two winter driving tips I learned from my dad. Avoid using your parking brake in extreme cold and always slow down in a straight line before taking curves or turns.
We will get through this.
Bill Moritz