Cathy Morgan-Mace cleans snow and ice off her household’s automobile throughout a snowstorm in Salt Lake Metropolis, on Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2023. Current snowstorms left many Utahns quickly snowed in. Kristin Murphy, Deseret Information
As a transplant to Utah who grew up in Minnesota, Meg Walter’s March 2 opinion piece on the climate (and obvious lack of wintertime resilience) gave me a chuckle. I’ve sniffled greater than as soon as concerning the “Biggest snow on earth’s” disappointing incapability to stay round for longer than a pair days.
Nonetheless, as soon as I ended indulging myself with the virtues of my superior Midwestern winter grit, I spotted she did have at the very least one legitimate level. You see, whereas snowstorms usually aren’t as unhealthy or as frequent in Utah, they do are inclined to trigger extra issues driving than equal storms in Minnesota.
So, I did a casual case examine. I grew up in Lakeville, Minnesota, and now reside in Orem. In response to the Lakeville authorities web site and Orem metropolis web site, Lakeville has about 600 lane miles of street, Orem 529 (13% much less). Orem additionally has about 40% extra residents (72,000 vs 97,000), and a smaller 2023 metropolis finances by 14% ($140 million vs. $160 million, which is about $2,200 a resident vs $1,400).
Town of Lakeville has 24 massive plow vehicles. Orem has 5. Lakeville has 13 different smaller vehicles with plows, Orem has 10. Lakeville has a devoted 2023 snow removing line merchandise in its finances of $1,010,555. I couldn’t discover the phrases “snow” or “plow” within the 2023 Orem finances, however your complete streets finances is $1,760,079 (the storm water finances could also be concerned as effectively).
This isn't a dig in opposition to Orem or the Utah Division of Transportation: I feel they do an ideal job and are effectively managed. Normally, I feel that Utahns get precisely the federal government they need — decrease taxes, tighter budgets and extra restricted providers.
Lakeville spends extra on snow removing as a result of they should — the snow that falls in October will nonetheless be there in April until pushed out of the best way. It might not even make sense for Utah to spend money on extra plows that can simply sit idle.
However don’t blame the climate when decrease taxes haven’t purchased sufficient plows.
Jayden Milne
Orem