Although it may seem like a lot of snow is not being removed from Humboldt's streets, rumors of the City of Humboldt not budgeting for snow removal are greatly exaggerated.
"We do have money budgeted for snow removal," said Joe Doxey, Director of Planning and Engineering. "There isn't any truth to that rumor."
And in regard to the lack of snow removal after the first snow of the year, Doxey said it was not because of lack of money budgeted, but rather because of the weather conditions.
"That first little snow, when you just get one centimetre or two, it's just awkward," said Doxey. "To run all the equipment to clear one centimetre of snow is awfully expensive."
He explained the first snow wasn't cleared, but then weather conditions turned the snow into ice and created problems.
"We have a couple bouts of fairly wet snow and mild temperatures and it just made for incredibly icy conditions," explained Doxey.
The City has been dealing with the icy conditions as much as they can.
"We have been sanding fairly aggressively," said Doxey. "I think we are near the end of that. The sanding (truck) has been out pretty much every day. We'll continue to go out as it is dangerous like that."
Iciness is difficult to deal with, said Doxey, as they are unable to clear the ice like they can with snow.
"The problem there is we can't physically cut the ice down to the pavement," said Doxey. "When we get some more significant snow, we'll clear it off and the sanding (truck) will be out."
Doxey said although they are working to the best of their ability to make the roads safe, drivers should also take care.
"Of course, we remind people - last week should be the perfect reminder in itself... people need to be reminded to drive for the conditions," said Doxey. "If you have to drive slower, you have to drive slower."
