A Syracuse lawmaker has finally won over the support of his colleagues to toughen city laws on snow removal.
Common Councilor Bob Dougherty had a visible grin on his face when two ordinances he had sponsored were unanimously approved by the council.
"Knock me over with a feather," he said. Earlier bills never came close to passing and he didn’t think his third try would sail through.
Dougherty has made sidewalk snow removal the focal point of his time on the council. Previous attempts to fine property owners who didn’t shovel were shot down.
This time, Dougherty convinced fellow councilors to go after people who do do something. The council approved a $150 fine for private plow drivers who push snow into streets or onto sidewalks. A $100 fine could be levied against property owners who do the same.
"‘Something’ is the right word," he said. "We started off with probably a grander scale and then I brought it back."
Other councilors say the fact this law only targets people who knowingly do something they should not was the decider for them.
"This is actually an action that people are doing, something that is illegal and they’re doing it," said Dougherty.
Dougherty says hopefully discussions on improving snow removal will continue, with possible work programs that would pay people to shovel out intersections and high traffic areas.