Last year, the Ohio Supreme Court pooh-poohed silly city ordinances such as fining people for failure to remove snow from private property. I understand it is unlawful to punish Ohio citizens for such petty violations.
However, Kent’s service director, Gene Roberts, wants taxpayers in our town to be fined $100 to $300 if refusing, or unable, to remove said snow.
I ask: What pleasure could Roberts derive from picking on the very people who pay his outrageous salary and put food on his table?
Could this be, as Yogi Berra said, “Deja vu all over again” — our annual pre-winter empty threats from Kent City Hall?
Personally, after mailing this letter, I’m going to grease my snow shovel — if I can stop shaking from fear long enough.
Paul Craven
Kent
(Editor’s note: Kent City Council recently approved a new section in the city’s codified ordinance to create a civil offense when a property owner or snow plow contractor clears a driveway or parking lot but blocks a sidewalk or pedestrian crossing in the process. Violating the new ordinance can lead to an initial fine of $100 that could escalate to $300.) e