Snowy sidewalks pose threat to those in wheelchairs Some choose between icy walks and the street

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By Matt Fredmonsky
Record-Courier staff writer
One week after Northeastern Ohio's major snowstorm, many of the sidewalks in Kent remain blocked by piles of snow and ice despite recent rain, sunshine and warmer temperatures.
The icy aftermath of any snowstorm creates a hazardous situation for people like Pete Zeidner, David Norquest, Ray Moran, Helen McDonald and Linda Graves, all of whom rely on their powered wheelchairs to maneuver the city.
The Tower 43 residents met in a conference room of the senior and handicapped residential complex to talk about the challenges they face when property owners fail to clear sidewalks. Sunlight filtered through the clouds to spread a soft light on the first-floor meeting room while the residents shared their experiences.
Graves demonstrated how she jockeys her chair's controls to try and rock it back and forth when it gets hung up on snow and ice.
"It gets stubborn sometimes trying to get through the snow," Graves said. "And we have to get out."
Norquest, who didn't try to hide his forthright demeanor, chastised snow plow drivers who clear a business parking lot for cars yet, in the process, block a sidewalk for pedestrian use.
Zeidner, who has spent years organizing the Pedal With Pete cerebral palsy research fund-raiser, tried to avoid a blocked sidewalk two weeks ago. The wheels of his chair became stuck in a storm sewer grate hidden beneath the surface of a puddle. Passers-by pulled him out, but the chair sustained $600 in damage.
Christine Hudecek, Zeidner's aide and fiance, said impassable sidewalks can force wheelchair users to make a difficult choice " risk getting stuck in the snow or venture into the street.
"These people here are out all the time," Hudecek said. "They want to maintain their independence. Pete uses his wheelchair like a car."
"So do I," Norquest said.
"Me too," Moran added.
Hudecek said the primary issue is getting property owners to clear their sidewalks.
"(Zeidner) will go out in the streets," she said, "but he shouldn't have to."
The concern is not lost on the city's safety or service directors.
William Lillich, Kent's safety director, said the city's sidewalk ordinance puts the responsibility on adjacent property owners for clearing snow.
"Typically, in the past, enforcement of this has been done by the code enforcement official," Lillich said.
That position has been vacant since the summer. Failing to comply with the ordinance is not an offense that can draw a citation or fine. The ordinance does, however, give the service director authority to clean the snow and then bill the property owner.
Jack Hogue, manager of the service department's central maintenance division, said the city fielded dozens of complaint calls after the storm.
"People are getting impatient right now and I understand why," Hogue said. "The way the sidewalks are now we're going to have to use a bobcat or some kind of machine to clear it off."
The city recently purchased an All-Terrain Vehicle to help plow snow on sidewalks, but the city is only responsible for clearing 24 sidewalk sections, most of which are located in the downtown area or around municipal buildings. The miles of remaining sidewalks are the property owner's responsibility.
Norquest and Moran can average about three hours of use in their wheelchairs on a fully charged battery. Norquest has managed to get as far north on S.R. 43 as Theodore Roosevelt High School from his apartment near S.R. 261.
McDonald, a small, quiet elderly woman, said she will spend all day outside.
"On a good day," she said. "I only go out when it's clear."
At-large Councilman Rick Hawksley, known for walking and biking around town, issued an e-mail message this week pleading with residents to shovel and salt their sidewalks.
"This past weekend's storm is one of the largest we have had, and some of the icebergs, if not tended to, will last well into April," he said. "We need public and private effort to clear bus stops, intersections and walks. Please be a good neighbor!"