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Heard in Bonner: Don't want to clear your snow? Fine

• The city of Bonner Springs is getting a little more serious about sidewalk shoveling in the winter. At its Monday meeting, the city council discussed creating a $20 fine for those who do not remove ice or snow from their sidewalks after a snowstorm. When court costs are added to the fine, an offender could be charged $56. However, council members also discussed increasing the time residents have to clear the sidewalks from 12 to 48 hours after a storm, and they also would wait one more season to enforce the law in order to allow for informational materials to be sent to the public. That would mean the first fines would be issued in the 2012-2013 winter season, and only to repeat offenders at first. Every offender would be ticketed beginning in the 2013-2014 winter season. The city attorney said there was no way to enforce the law requiring sidewalks to be cleared of snow without a fine of some sort. The council likely will consider final approval of the fine Jan. 9.

• The First Christian Church will have a display of about 800 Nativities again this weekend. Pastor Margi Colerick will share the nativities from her collection, which totals about 500, and church members also have contributed their Nativities. The display will be open 5-8 p.m. Dec. 16, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Dec. 17 and noon to 3 p.m. Dec. 18. The church asks a donation of $3 for adults and $2 for seniors and children 8 and under, which will be put toward ministries in the community.

• A reminder that city offices will be closed from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 14, to allow employees to participate in the Employee Recognition Celebration.

By Caroline Boyer

December 14, 2011

Heard in Bonner

Comments

  1. Clebear (anonymous) says…

    I think it would be wise to use the snow angels program to determine the number of elderly and disabled who have requested assistance for snow removal and ensure they are not fined.

    Likewise, who would be fined in the event the property is rented or leased? Who will have the authority to enforce this and how will fines collected be used? All good questions.