Announced by all the trumpets of the sky,
Arrives the snow, and, driving o’er the fields,
Seems nowhere to alight: the whited air
Hides hills and woods, the river, and the heaven,
And veils the farmhouse at the garden’s end.
The sled and traveller stopped, the courier’s feet
Delayed, all friends shut out, the housemates sit
Around the radiant fireplace, enclosed
In a tumultuous privacy of storm.
I am going to make a disclaimer before I make my comment so here goes. I know this was one of the worse storms we have had in many years and that the men and women of the Cit Public Works Department have been out working while we have been in our homes asleep and warm but I can only judge the quality of snow removal based on what I see in MP and PWC. And I have to say for the first time ever that I am disappointed by the progress. Almost 20 hours after the storm ended and Route 28 and 234/Sudley Rd look horrible. These two Routes should be cleared first as they are major State Routes. I hope there is some sort of after the fact meeting to discuss what went wrong this time from other times. Please do not take my comment as if I do not appreciate the work as I do, just think there is a flaw somewhere in the system for these roads to look like this so long after the storm. I wonder if the budget crisis and hiring freeze has hurt the quality of work we will receive. I hope that the citizens understand that we may have to accept this until the budget situation gets better.
I am going to presume, MCR, the parts of 28 & 234 you are referring to are in the City? And yes, I agree with you they should have priority.
The reason I opened with the question is because of the funny way those two routes are identified as to who does what and when – from filling pot holes to snow plowing. Haven’t had to go out so do not know visaully what they look like; still, agree they are top of the list.
As for my little cul-de-sac, I thank the guy on the front loader/backhoe who, at 11 pm last night, plowed us out. He did a great job of leaving only about a foot in front of the driveway that I and the neighbors had to move. Now I get to watch a snow mountain melt from now til Easter 🙂
Absolutely in the City, between Godwin and where 234 splits into old town and Sudley Rd continues to Route 28. Route 28 was horrible. What really surprised me was as I was traveling 234/Grant Ave I noticed the side streets were plowed all the way down to bare pavement. Just seems kind of backwards to me. Usually I think they do a great job, but this time it was far less that expected. And I agree, it is nice that the guys take the time to ensure the driveways are not blocked in.
Some of the roads in the City were done well, parts of Old Town, 28, Wellington, etc. I’ll say this though, you could tell where the City ended or started, and where the County started. But, I suppose that’s because the County has more trucks. Also, as today went on, the roads were better.
I also drove in parts of the County where plows did not go, and it was a mess.
This was just a simple snow storm, and the exxon on the corner of Wellington and Grant ran out of gas at some point this weekend. I’m not sure of the other stations, but it should be considered a wake up call and serve as a reminder to always be prepared by having a stock pile of goods that very might not be avaliable otherwise.
No disrespect COM, but I am not sure what part of 28 in the City of Manassas you saw because what I saw was horrible. I will agree you could definately tell where the City ends and MP and PWC starts. Also, PWC does not plow their streets, the State does. And while they may have more trucks, they have many more miles of roads including the interstates. But in defense of the City, this was not a normal/simple snow storm. It was the largest Decemebr snow storm in Virginia history and will probably end up being in the top ten ever.
I know that the City did not come out until after Midnight on my side street last night. Then again I had no plans of going anywhere until today, so I didn’t mind. We have a great neighbor who used his snowblower to clearn our sidewalks, driveway and the street in front of our driveway. South Main was a little messy on my way in to work this morning which I was surprise. I had a jerk who honked at me to make a right turn on red onto Center St (um can’t see around the snow piles!!) but other than that, easy trip in.
Well, it was about 3pm Sunday before the first City truck made any attempt on my street, despite watching them go by numerous times on Battlefield Bv and Hastings Dr (where I could see blacktop). That was frustrating, that they couldn’t at least make ONE pass on down my street before going back to the dozens of passes on the others. But what got me most was I cleared all the way out into the street, including unblocking my mail box. Three times now I have had to go back out and clear out my driveway and to my mailbox, the last less than an hour ago when a backhoe completely blocked off my mailbox and my driveway to the point why wife could barely get back in with a 4-wheel drive SUV.
Folks, this has been a snow EMERGENCY, not just a normal snowfall.
My husband slept in a storeroom at Union Station after driving trains because of the crew shortages. People got home & other trains got through because he volunteered. My nephew is a chef and slept at his workplace so he could open the restaurant on time for customers.
Over 1,000 National Guard have been deployed throughout Virginia to respond to this. Snow plow operators have been working nonstop with little rest in every jurisdiction.
Have a heart for the hard, thankless work that’s going on.
Okay, time for another poem to go with Andy’s peaceful pictures:
“No Flights Until Morning”
By David Tucker
The runways were covered by late afternoon,
nothing moved out there but the occasional noble
snow plow carrying on with a yellow grimace,
the big jets were barely visible like whale herds
sleeping off the blast. The concourses, so frantic
a few hours ago, were almost still, a few meanderers chatted
on their cell phones and looked at watches. Some
who couldn’t bear the limbo lined up at the ticket counters
to argue with clerks who rolled their eyes.
Expectations that could not be denied on this
of all days were denied, deadlines that couldn’t be missed
were missed, helpless executives threw up their hands,
meetings went on without them, soldiers with orders
gave up with good cheer and played video games
as if this was finally the last place and not all that bad,
stranded students slept on backpacks, wedding guests
rode the escalators with vacant stares, imagining the bride.
I stayed quiet and thought of you;
checked my passport, read my ticket again, then again
like a spy with only a name to get me out,
a thousand miles from my life.
Cindy’s right. These folks work very long hours doing the best they can with the equipment they have. I thank all the men and women who put in so many houirs trying to get the streets clear.
December 20, 2009 at 2:48 pm
Announced by all the trumpets of the sky,
Arrives the snow, and, driving o’er the fields,
Seems nowhere to alight: the whited air
Hides hills and woods, the river, and the heaven,
And veils the farmhouse at the garden’s end.
The sled and traveller stopped, the courier’s feet
Delayed, all friends shut out, the housemates sit
Around the radiant fireplace, enclosed
In a tumultuous privacy of storm.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
December 20, 2009 at 5:01 pm
I am going to make a disclaimer before I make my comment so here goes. I know this was one of the worse storms we have had in many years and that the men and women of the Cit Public Works Department have been out working while we have been in our homes asleep and warm but I can only judge the quality of snow removal based on what I see in MP and PWC. And I have to say for the first time ever that I am disappointed by the progress. Almost 20 hours after the storm ended and Route 28 and 234/Sudley Rd look horrible. These two Routes should be cleared first as they are major State Routes. I hope there is some sort of after the fact meeting to discuss what went wrong this time from other times. Please do not take my comment as if I do not appreciate the work as I do, just think there is a flaw somewhere in the system for these roads to look like this so long after the storm. I wonder if the budget crisis and hiring freeze has hurt the quality of work we will receive. I hope that the citizens understand that we may have to accept this until the budget situation gets better.
December 20, 2009 at 5:51 pm
I am going to presume, MCR, the parts of 28 & 234 you are referring to are in the City? And yes, I agree with you they should have priority.
The reason I opened with the question is because of the funny way those two routes are identified as to who does what and when – from filling pot holes to snow plowing. Haven’t had to go out so do not know visaully what they look like; still, agree they are top of the list.
As for my little cul-de-sac, I thank the guy on the front loader/backhoe who, at 11 pm last night, plowed us out. He did a great job of leaving only about a foot in front of the driveway that I and the neighbors had to move. Now I get to watch a snow mountain melt from now til Easter 🙂
December 20, 2009 at 6:18 pm
Absolutely in the City, between Godwin and where 234 splits into old town and Sudley Rd continues to Route 28. Route 28 was horrible. What really surprised me was as I was traveling 234/Grant Ave I noticed the side streets were plowed all the way down to bare pavement. Just seems kind of backwards to me. Usually I think they do a great job, but this time it was far less that expected. And I agree, it is nice that the guys take the time to ensure the driveways are not blocked in.
December 20, 2009 at 7:29 pm
Harrover Touts Snow Job That Cost City Thousands!!
Right, OK, I promised to wait until after the holidays.
Seriously Andy, some great pictures – the museum should use
them on cards. Thank you for sharing them.
December 20, 2009 at 10:51 pm
Some of the roads in the City were done well, parts of Old Town, 28, Wellington, etc. I’ll say this though, you could tell where the City ended or started, and where the County started. But, I suppose that’s because the County has more trucks. Also, as today went on, the roads were better.
I also drove in parts of the County where plows did not go, and it was a mess.
This was just a simple snow storm, and the exxon on the corner of Wellington and Grant ran out of gas at some point this weekend. I’m not sure of the other stations, but it should be considered a wake up call and serve as a reminder to always be prepared by having a stock pile of goods that very might not be avaliable otherwise.
December 21, 2009 at 9:55 am
No disrespect COM, but I am not sure what part of 28 in the City of Manassas you saw because what I saw was horrible. I will agree you could definately tell where the City ends and MP and PWC starts. Also, PWC does not plow their streets, the State does. And while they may have more trucks, they have many more miles of roads including the interstates. But in defense of the City, this was not a normal/simple snow storm. It was the largest Decemebr snow storm in Virginia history and will probably end up being in the top ten ever.
December 21, 2009 at 11:02 am
I know that the City did not come out until after Midnight on my side street last night. Then again I had no plans of going anywhere until today, so I didn’t mind. We have a great neighbor who used his snowblower to clearn our sidewalks, driveway and the street in front of our driveway. South Main was a little messy on my way in to work this morning which I was surprise. I had a jerk who honked at me to make a right turn on red onto Center St (um can’t see around the snow piles!!) but other than that, easy trip in.
December 21, 2009 at 1:13 pm
Well, it was about 3pm Sunday before the first City truck made any attempt on my street, despite watching them go by numerous times on Battlefield Bv and Hastings Dr (where I could see blacktop). That was frustrating, that they couldn’t at least make ONE pass on down my street before going back to the dozens of passes on the others. But what got me most was I cleared all the way out into the street, including unblocking my mail box. Three times now I have had to go back out and clear out my driveway and to my mailbox, the last less than an hour ago when a backhoe completely blocked off my mailbox and my driveway to the point why wife could barely get back in with a 4-wheel drive SUV.
December 21, 2009 at 3:14 pm
Folks, this has been a snow EMERGENCY, not just a normal snowfall.
My husband slept in a storeroom at Union Station after driving trains because of the crew shortages. People got home & other trains got through because he volunteered. My nephew is a chef and slept at his workplace so he could open the restaurant on time for customers.
Over 1,000 National Guard have been deployed throughout Virginia to respond to this. Snow plow operators have been working nonstop with little rest in every jurisdiction.
Have a heart for the hard, thankless work that’s going on.
Okay, time for another poem to go with Andy’s peaceful pictures:
“No Flights Until Morning”
By David Tucker
The runways were covered by late afternoon,
nothing moved out there but the occasional noble
snow plow carrying on with a yellow grimace,
the big jets were barely visible like whale herds
sleeping off the blast. The concourses, so frantic
a few hours ago, were almost still, a few meanderers chatted
on their cell phones and looked at watches. Some
who couldn’t bear the limbo lined up at the ticket counters
to argue with clerks who rolled their eyes.
Expectations that could not be denied on this
of all days were denied, deadlines that couldn’t be missed
were missed, helpless executives threw up their hands,
meetings went on without them, soldiers with orders
gave up with good cheer and played video games
as if this was finally the last place and not all that bad,
stranded students slept on backpacks, wedding guests
rode the escalators with vacant stares, imagining the bride.
I stayed quiet and thought of you;
checked my passport, read my ticket again, then again
like a spy with only a name to get me out,
a thousand miles from my life.
December 21, 2009 at 5:56 pm
Cindy’s right. These folks work very long hours doing the best they can with the equipment they have. I thank all the men and women who put in so many houirs trying to get the streets clear.
December 21, 2009 at 10:05 pm
The East Coast snowstorm was so big that even a picture of it taken from space is impressive.
http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2009/12/east-coast-blizzard-from-space?npu=1&mbid=yhp