2 Die in Howard County Shoveling Snow

Washington-CBS ^

[sodpoodle]

COLUMBIA, Md. — Two men in Howard County have died after suffering medical emergencies while shoveling snow, and a third died when he collapsed outside in the snow.

[Elsie]

Back in the day, I had a couple of nephews who were whining about wanting this or that for Christmas.

What they each got from me was a brand new snow shovel!

[Elsie]

I just got one this season.

It’s a LOT of work to keep that thing going straight, even when it is pulling.

I get CHAINS for it next year!

[Elsie]

HATER!!

[Elsie]

I wish I had that kind of money!

My 20HP 40 year old AC620, with a 4’ blade, died in front of the house right after I’d graded the snow off the drive from the first fall.

Wife says, “You SURE you don’t want to get a blower?”

Thank GOD I took her up on it!!!

[Elsie]

I remember the amount because there was a telescope that I wanted and did buy. :)

What kind did you get?

[fatnotlazy]

I don’t have that much property. Short driveway and sidewalk.

Besides, thanks to a fragile heart, I can’t be out in the cold for more than a few minutes.

Otherwise, a snow blower would be helpful.

[fatnotlazy]

Years ago, the poor in housing projects (at least around this area) were issued shovels, brooms and other implements. They were expected to maintain their property.

Can't do that anymore. It's cruel to the poor, doncha know.

[RedMDer]

A white one to look at the moon since we (USA) were planning on going there. LOL! I don’t remember but it had a motor to account for the rotation of the earth etc.

[fieldmarshaldj]

RIP.

[Elsie]

A white one...

I love it!

As a young man; I lusted about a Questar: they had the neatest ads in Scientific American (may it rest in peace) and the coolest tube I'd ever seen!

Twenty years later, I finally got a 4" Meade (Black - 'cause I was gonna use it at night ;^) Schmidt-Cassegrain with motor drive.

[Elsie]

2045D

In 1989 Meade brought back the 2045 after a 2 year hiatus on the market as the 2045D.

The telescope was given a DC stepper motor drive more like its larger cousins which operated off of AA batteries located in the base.

This allowed operation in either northern or southern hemisphere, which was quite practical for a smaller telescope made, in essence, for travel.

It came with dual fork mounting, table top legs, a 1 ¼" star diagonal and eyepiece and a 5x24 focuser.

 

[hal ogen]

I love them. I want to be fit so they don’t have to suffer nobamacare.

[Tolerance Sucks Rocks]

I dare the Global Warming Apocalyptics to say that all this heavy snow is just fine with them.

Maryland “Freak State” PING!

[Pollster1]

Back in the day, I had a couple of nephews who were whining about wanting this or that for Christmas. What they each got from me was a brand new snow shovel!

I like that. While I approve of success and of wealth, I am not fond of kids who whine for stuff - they should be grateful for what they receive and willing to earn what they want, but that's different from feeling entitled.

[tioga]

There are NO teens looking for shoveling jobs in this town. Instead the adult men get snowblowers then go around doing each other’s driveways. My husband does three or four driveways every snow storm. Elderly, widows...the guy who left for work then the dang snow plow plowed in the road sludge. Last big storm, my husband never made it to work till late afternoon, but everyone was plowed out. If you have a snow blower, you do several driveways. Makes for a friendly neighborhood.

[Elsie]

amen

[Eepsy]

In my city sidewalks are very much on your personal property. They get inspected on a rotating basis and, when repair is required, the city does it and sends you a bill!

[jjotto]

Where do you live?

I’d wager that not many places in the USA have that kind of arrangement!

[LSAggie]

I live in a city just south of Kansas City, MO that was platted in 1860-something. I am a recovering planner, and I am amazed, and puzzled, that you both have public access (sidewalks) across your private property. Now, in Kansas City, the city fixes the sidewalk and bills the property owner, but I think that’s a function of their charter, it’s not state law.

Here in the Midwest, the right-of-way for a normal residential street is either 50 or 60 feet. The actual paved surface (back-of-curb to back-of-curb) is either 28 or 36 feet, hopefully, if the surveyors get it right, centered in the 50/60 feet,with the remaining right-of-way on either side being used for sidewalks and utilities. The adjacent property owners is responsible for cutting the grass between the sidewalk and the curb, but they do not own it, or pay taxes on it.

There are exceptions, of course, but those occur more in your “new town”, high density developments, not typical subdivisions.

Does your property line extend to the curb of the street? Are there utilities (water, sanitary sewer, storm sewer) next to curb and, therefore, also on your property?

[jjotto]

Very interesting. That explains the somewhat odd language of a typical snow removal ordinance:

“REMOVAL OF SNOW, ICE AND ACCUMULATIONS.

It is the responsibility of the abutting property owners to remove snow, ice and accumulations promptly from sidewalks.

When the City receives a complaint that snow or ice or accumulations of snow or ice or any unsafe condition has remained on any sidewalk for wenty-four (24) hours or more, the City may notify the abutting property owners that such snow or ice or accumulations of snow or ice or unsafe conditions are to be removed by the abutting property owner within the next twelve (12) hours or that said abutting property owner shall be subject to criminal prosecution.”