The shoveling was tough but my sons Caleb and Isaac and I cleaned a path from Burger King to The Robin Hood in about an hour. The walkers we encoutered were appreciatitive and it was a good lesson on Community Service for all of us. I learned... not many poeple like snow shoveling. No one else showed up. That's ok, I'll recruit harder next time.

Next time, I'd put out a call for people with snowblowers!

Michael, what a great example of citizenship. I wish the businesses along there would realize that their unshoveled walks are terrible PR and are also in violation of a city ordinance that we should enforce. (We do enforce it if they pile snow on the walks.) Please, everyone who cares, walk into those businesses that don't shovel their sidewalks and tell them that it is disrespectful to the citizens of our fair city. And also unsafe. I've heard people say they have stopped patronizing businesses that are not pedestrian-friendly. The shaming campaign could get pretty interesting if pedestrians banded together....

Thank you Heidi. This was a tough one for my two sons to handle. "We going to shovel snow where?" they asked, looking at me like I was insane! But I think Dave Ruller stated our motivation best today in his Kent360 blog when he posted the City's vision statement: "To be the City of choice in Northeast Ohio for residents, business, visitors and students seeking enriching community experiences that will last a lifetime." Well said.

Thank You Caleb, Isaac and Michael. You guys Rock!

Abby, you can call the city's code enforcement officer at 330-678-8108 to file a complaint when a business owner has not cleared their sidewalks, or more appropriately, when the company paid to plow their parking lot piles all the snow in heaps on the sidewalk.

I second Rick's comment! Way to go, Pritt family!!!

We had a TransPortage board meeting today and we decided we are going to tag along and promote Kent Clean Sidewalks. Please let us know as far ahead of time as you can when you are going out and we will spread the word and try to get more hands on Deck. We brainstormed on places to shovel, including between lincoln and Willow (both sides), Mantua route to High School/Middle School, between Kentway and the Drug Stores, and in areas where seniors and less able folks live. If we get enough folks out we can make a difference.

I applaud the Pritts family's efforts. However, if I'm reading this right, I can't comprehend why Burger King and Wendy's can't shovel their own property. They make, literally, millions of dollars off of our community and can't shovel in front of their property? It shows how they really feel about our community. You can include the Robin Hood here too. It might not be rented right now, but the property owner and her family has made millions in Kent and can afford to have the property maintained.

Another embarrassing site that should be shoveled is the corner of South Water and Main, opposite the Franklin Square Deli. That sidewalk is one of the most visible in downtown and makes a sad statement about the face of retail in downtown Kent when that walk isn't cleared and no one is held accountable.

Again, I'm not criticizing the efforts of the Pritts family or anyone that helps them. I would just rather see their efforts go to someone that would appreciate it (like an elderly or disabled person on a fixed income that can't take care of the shoveling themselves), in comparison to a business owner that just takes our money and runs!

Interesting perspective, Mike! Maybe if the aforementioned businesses/property owners were made aware of this public "conversation" it could be enough to make a difference!?!? Or Heidi's idea of taking the time to express ourselves as citizens to said business/property owners (either in person, by phone or e-mail -- contact is contact!).

That would free up charitable snow-shovelers like the Pritts to help those who truly need help!

Ladies and gentlemen,
This brings to mind the issue 0f Kent children who have to walk in the streets to school and back everyday because there is not even a sidewalk to shovel!

Add Starbucks to the list of corporations in Kent in high traffic areas benefitting from our dollars and not having the courtesy to shovel.

Tom, an image immediately popped into my head when I read your comment: Crain Avenue from Luther to Elmwood -- then every connecting street in University Heights! I always thought that was an isolated pocket of the city that didn't have sidewalks. I'm guessing I was wrong?

I have been advocating, prodding, snipping, cajoling, begging, shaming, exhorting, pleading,etc ad naseaum for people in this town to do the right thing by their neighbors. While on council i pushed for enforcement of the law, helped craft a new law that only speaks to the worst offenders, tried to get the service department not to make things worse. I once made a motion to repeal our laws since they were not being enforced, and could only get a few votes. Everyone who does not shovel, or have their walk shoveled, is a free loader.

I could give you a list of 100 business who haven't done a thing. In my estimation the entire city staff should do nothing else but enforce the law or failing that, pick up shovels, until the walks are clear. We only have a little bit of snow in our town but you would think we got 200 inches a year.

I think what the Pritts are doing is audacious. A little shaming might go a long way.

Thank you all for your encouragement and suggestions concerning the Snow Shoveling Initiative. I would like to arrange a meeting with the Rick and the TransPortage folks to follow up on the ideas they generated. Whomever else would like to be included is welcome. Heidi and Kasha's idea's of making the businesses aware of this conversation and the need to take care of their sidewalks is great next step. If you have any ideas of how this might be worded, I'd appreciate that. (Aren't you an English Major Heidi?) I perfer the carrot to the rod approach, until I run out of carrots. This is something we can do ourselves. We can make a difference.