I was number 4 after 1 hour and 45 minutes of the polls being open. That’s stupid, but its not what I’m writing about today. That’s not the city’s fault.
When I went to vote I observed several things about the polling place, didn’t get pictures of all of them, but here’s a few:
1. The “handicap accessible” parking wasn’t really plowed, so anyone with a van would have been sticking out and practically blocking traffic. It was somewhat plowed, but not clear to the edge forcing the van to stick into the drive area.
2. The “shoveled” walk to the polling place wasn’t shoveled wide enough to get a wheel chair through. It might have been 2.5 feet across.
3. The bell for people with disabilities to get assistance to open the door was well beyond the spot where a wheelchair couldn’t easily get through (blue sign back by the door), so there would be no way to notify someone that they needed assistance due to the snow.
4. For those able-bodied among us, there was no sand or salt on the walks or in the parking lot and there was no attempt to even shovel or get the snow off the walkways or parking lot. I’ve gotten warnings from building inspection for much, much, much less than this. (Love my neighbors!)
I don’t think this is the clerk’s office fault, with the exception of the placement of the bell. I think it’s parks, since my polling place is at Gates of Heaven at James Madison Park.
I probably was a bit of a pain in the ass alder, cuz I would email someone and let them know about things like this . . . so that others wouldn’t complain. Now, I’m not sure it’s my role, but these kinds of things aren’t really acceptable.
E MIFFLIN ST
On another note, there were “no parking” signs posted on two blocks (300 and 400) of E Mifflin last night and today, there were about 5 or 6 pieces of equipment being unloaded on the street snarling up traffic trying to get to the parking ramp this morning. Looks like they’re planning on tearing up our street or doing some kind of work, shouldn’t homeowners or absentee landlords get notice when they do things like this, especially since we have a driveway that will be impacted? (Our drive/garage entry is on E. Mifflin.)
