January 27

Hello Eastporters!

I am overwhelmed with the number of neighbors helping neighbors with this icy and heavy snow. It is a great example of what Eastport is all about. Thank you to all who have painstakingly scraped your sidewalks and a tremendous thanks for all of you who have gone “next door” to help. As I walk and drive around Eastport, I am so impressed at the number of people out there helping out. Thank you!

Mayor Jared Littmann hosted a call this morning with the city council and staff. The primary focus of the call was to discuss getting sidewalks cleared. I want to stress that enforcement is intended to make it safe for residents to get to school, food stores, etc. I also want to stress how I started this email: we have a wonderful neighborhood, and neighbors are out there giving it their best – I like to think that enforcement is a last resort.

The requirement to shovel our sidewalks and the enforcement procedures are not new – the City has had them on the books for a long time. As I mentioned in my email last night, due to the ice and weight of the snow which has created a tremendous challenge to clear our sidewalks, enforcement has been delayed. This is an example of the city making an agile decision in the middle of this snow event.  

The focus for enforcement throughout the city will be on ensuring safe sidewalk routes to schools and shopping centers. The first step is a warning. After receiving a warning, if the sidewalk is not cleared within a day, a notice of violation can be received.  

Enforcement applies to businesses as well as residents. Many businesses have shoveled their sidewalks (Thank you!) and many are catching up. For example, I spoke to the manager of the Mercedes Dealership this morning and they are shoveling this afternoon.  

The City put out a press release earlier this afternoon and it has more details on the current situation and way forward.

This is my first snowstorm as your alderman. We will review the city’s efforts when it is over and make adjustments to continue to improve the program.  

At the end of the day, Eastporters are Eastporters and we have been through worse. We will get through this disruptive storm. I ask for your patience as we continue through the next couple of days. And please continue to do what Eastporters do, helping out our neighbors.  

All the best, Frank