| >Valley Patriot>.. | Lawrence Road Conditions a Disaster! Tom Duggan Last year, the Mayor of Lawrence promised the public that independent snow plows being paid to clear snow would have yellow flags on them so that people could identify those plow drivers not doing their jobs. He also said he takes personal responsibility for the condition of the roads. So, when New England was hit with the first major snowstorm of the season this week I took to the streets in my SUV and decided to take a look for myself. Traditionally Mayor Sullivan likes to make such promises for public praise and then never follows up on it. That's why it was no surprise when I spent hours on Saturday and Sunday watching snowplows drive throughout the city with no such flags. It was also no surprise, though disappointing, to see the condition of Lawrence roads by Sunday evening.
But, the minute I entered North Andover via Merrimack and Sutton Street it was clear where the Lawrence line ended and the North Andover line began. Sutton Street in North Andover, in stark contrast to Merrimack Street in Lawrence (same street) was plowed to the pavement and sanded adequately all the way to the Lawrence city line. Traveling up South Broadway into Andover and Lawrence Street into Methuen, it was also clear where the city line ended and the other communities began. Andover and Methuen plowed their roads to the pavement and sanded and salted as well. I know the people who work for Frank McCann do work hard and put in a lot of hours (and are very well paid for those hours). I also understand that the narrow side roads of Lawrence, particularly on the hills are difficult if not impossible to navigate. But there is no excuse for main streets like Merrimack Street and South Broadway to have an inch of packed snow with no sand or salt to assist motorists by the end of the weekend. As the temperature dips even further below freezing in the next few days that packed snow will surely become a sheet of ice. But at least this year we know exactly who to hold accountable - Mayor Sullivan. After all, Sullivan said on the Paying Attention! Radio show last winter that "by next year we should be able to get the plows out early and take care of the main streets. I take full responsibility for the conditions of the roads." I only wonder to myself if this is the same type of responsibility Mayor Sullivan (Chairman of the School Committee) is taking for the failing test scores our school children are getting on the MCAS. If it is, we are all in
trouble, the winter snow season is just beginning. |
A quick drive down some of the main
thoroughfares last night revealed, while the city DPW may
have worked hard during the blizzard, Merrimack Street,
South Broadway, South Union, Lawrence Street, Ames Street
and Winthrop Avenue were not even plowed to the pavement.