I am visiting relatives in the United States this Christmas vacation. Recently, I had the opportunity to observe the difference between the nearby cities of Cheyenne and Ft. Collins.
Two weeks ago, a fairly heavy snow storm covered the sidewalks of my severely handicapped parent's home in Fort Collins. Not a problem, a very pleasant neighbor helped me to clear the public sidewalks in front of several homes before the school kids were out and about on their ways to school.
We had only just finished the job when the City came by and swept the snow back up onto the sidewalk. While we were busy undoing the damage, we were accosted by an arrogant, abrasive official who informed us that it was a violation of City regulations to return the snow to the street which the city had only just swept onto the sidewalks. Cease and desist, etc. or there would be fines including jail time!
Obviously, we obeyed the laws.
This morning, visiting a cousin in Cheyenne, I had the opportunity to sweep the walks. Again, a neighbor helped. Once again, a city official - a policeman - stopped by. This time, not to threaten and bully, but to say "Thank you!"
I realize that it is more pleasant on a nasty, cold, snowy and windy morning to harass innocent people shoveling their walks then it is to do the real work for which city employees are paid - such as assisting stranded motorists, clearing intersections and all those other essential tasks. Still, the difference between the two cities will remain in my mind after this vacation. One encourages residents and guests to participate in civil order. The other threatens and punishes.
I'd blame this on a lack of Christmas cheer, but my relatives inform me that that, too, has been banned in Fort Collins, so presumably this city official was merely spreading the City's version of the 'holiday' spirit.
Two weeks ago, a fairly heavy snow storm covered the sidewalks of my severely handicapped parent's home in Fort Collins. Not a problem, a very pleasant neighbor helped me to clear the public sidewalks in front of several homes before the school kids were out and about on their ways to school.
We had only just finished the job when the City came by and swept the snow back up onto the sidewalk. While we were busy undoing the damage, we were accosted by an arrogant, abrasive official who informed us that it was a violation of City regulations to return the snow to the street which the city had only just swept onto the sidewalks. Cease and desist, etc. or there would be fines including jail time!
Obviously, we obeyed the laws.
This morning, visiting a cousin in Cheyenne, I had the opportunity to sweep the walks. Again, a neighbor helped. Once again, a city official - a policeman - stopped by. This time, not to threaten and bully, but to say "Thank you!"
I realize that it is more pleasant on a nasty, cold, snowy and windy morning to harass innocent people shoveling their walks then it is to do the real work for which city employees are paid - such as assisting stranded motorists, clearing intersections and all those other essential tasks. Still, the difference between the two cities will remain in my mind after this vacation. One encourages residents and guests to participate in civil order. The other threatens and punishes.
I'd blame this on a lack of Christmas cheer, but my relatives inform me that that, too, has been banned in Fort Collins, so presumably this city official was merely spreading the City's version of the 'holiday' spirit.
