Synergy Group

[cowman]

I doubt that any reasonable person would expect same day snow plow service but a limit of three days should be mandatory.

I have always said that no-one should need to own a four wheel drive vehicle to live in rural Alberta but if you don't have one you may not be able to travel far if there is a major snowfall.

[cowman]

Well I'm pretty sure Albert always gets here within three days.
And I agree with you on the four wheel drive thing emerald. It costs more to live in the country and that is just how it is. If a person doesn't want to be prepared for that extra cost then they have to live with the consequences? Get a good shovel and a strong back!
It is funny how people think country life is this pristine utopia? And many are quite taken aback when reality hits? Yep you have crappy, dusty roads. Yep you'll probably get your windshield broke. Yep the darned farmers have this annoying habit of combining half the night and letting their darned calves bawl all night when they wean them. Yep sometimes the air is a little ripe when they spread manure.
Soon the utopian realizes "Hey this isn't all its cracked up to be" and heads back to the city? Which is probably why most acreages play musical chairs every couple of years? I sometimes think the real estate agents should just cover their signs up with a bag or something rather than take them down?
One neighbor of mine says he hopes they never improve his road! He says a really bad road keeps the city slickers away!

[cowman]

Not to mention the ones that decide to build their dream home and two bit their way through on a septic system, then wonder why the health authority is beating on their door because it is running down the ditch!!!


I agree it costs more to live in the country but you cannot buy peace of mind and the quiet existence that real country life offers.

[cakadu]

You have kind of proven my point cowman - proximity to the corridor has an effect on what happens. You have 2 houses down your two mile stretch of road - there are 8 down ours. I ask you, who has the greater need?

I'm afraid I'm also going to have to beg to differ on the 4-wheel drive thing. There is no reason why a good front-wheel drive car with winter tires cannot get me to where I want to go. I take my time and drive like a sane person - not some insane maniac who figures that driving is a contact sport. There are some advantages to a 4x4 to be sure, but I don't particularly want to drive one for a number of reasons.

[cakadu]

I should also mention that I don't expect it same day, but I do expect it within a reasonable time. I like emrald's notion of a 3-day maximum.

[cakadu]

Linda, there have been times when we have had an 8-10" snowfall here or less than that with strong winds that have drifted our roads in to the point that people with small cars were stuck in the middle of the road, and it had nothing to do with their driving ability.
I have come home on weekends when I was working away, and plowed snow almost a foot deep down my driveway so I can assure you I would never be comfortable depending on a car of any type to keep me mobile in the winter.

I know that most cars will suffice for the average winter but I don't intend on being stranded here for five or six days or longer until the roads are plowed out.

Th 4 wheel drive controversy will likely never go away but there are more not less of them on the roads, and I would suggest that at least 50% of them are driven by people who really do need them.

[cowman]

Well Linda you might be right. Not sure but I believe Albert has one of the bigger routes to plow....not sure about your area?
I live two miles from a fairly large subdivision. They do get "same day service"...and so they should...in my opinion? Probably twenty houses and they all either have jobs or businesses to go to. Now if the municipality didn't want to accomodate them then they shouldn't have allowed the subdivision to be built?
Most of the residents are pretty standoffish but there is this one old boy who is awful friendly(and usually drunk!) who stops in every now and then? I don't think he does much of anything(other than drink!) as his wife has a very successful business in Red Deer! Now he told me what he pays in taxes on his little bit of paradise and it was impressive to say the least! Of course the house is like a mansion or something! They even got a live in South American maid! I met him one day when he was stumbling around trying to fix a flat tire on the side of the road...he was in no condition to do it so I changed it and he thinks I am the best thing since pizza ever since!
But the point is you have twenty to forty people squawking to get out or you have two farmers who can hole up for a couple of days...which ones get plowed out? Might not be right but it is reality? Just my opinion.

[cowman]

Also Linda: I do agree that driving a 4X4 has some disadvantages? First of all it costs one hell of a lot more...from purchase to fuel economy to repairs. No question there.
Now for some of us it is a neccessity and for others a convenience? I just kind of chuckle when I think about driving a two wheel drive into some of the places I have to go...a tank would probably be more appropriate!
But when the snow piles up a car just won't cut it...sorry. Which is why you are probably more concerned about when the snow plow gets there?
Maybe the county should make it the law that if you live in the country you have to have a 4X4? Then they could cut back on the snow removal budget even more! Make the people more responsible for their own transportation and road maitenance costs and cut the taxes...or hire some more pencil pushers and build onto the palace?

[cowman]

cowman, you are truly a good samaritan, helping the grass widow and now the drunken neighbour that lives in a palace !!!!

Good for you !!!!

[cakadu]

I don't drive a small car, I drive a mid-sized one. When it comes to the plowing issue though, what I drive is irrelevant. What is of importance is the fact that I have to wait longer and longer periods of time to get plowed out.

Using your logic cowman, then the county shouldn't have allowed all the subdivisions out here because we have 8 houses - all separately owned - on the two miles of road.

Quite frankly I am somewhat horrified by the fact that assistance was given to people who were obviously under the influence. What if either of the two people you helped cowman went on to hit some unsuspecting driver? If they are in that condition then they shouldn't be on the road -- period.

If you're going out to oil leases and such then I'm sure a good 4x4 is a necessity. I can assure you cowman that some of these people who drive these types of vehicles don't ever leave the city and if they do certainly never go offroad. I'm sure the Esplanade or the Humvee is going to go out to the bush.