(Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
Since 2016, Kenosha plows are deployed to clear snow when there are 2″ of accumulation on the ground. If one Alderman gets his way, that number will change to 4″, leaving plows in the city garage for a couple more hours. Alderman Rocco Lamacchia (D) cites “cost of fuel, plow blade wear and tear, damage to pavement and employee fatigue as reasons he wants the change. When KCE emailed and texted Lamacchia, however, he didn’t provide any clarification. This resolution is set to be voted on Monday, December 12, 2022 at the City’s Public Works Committee.
The proposal has already gained several supporters on the council, including Aldermen Eric Haugaard (D), Rollin Pizzala (D), and Jack Rose (D). They got the idea from former Aldermen Patrick Juliana (D) and Steven Casey (D). Juliana is now a part-time employee of the City who cuts grass. Steven Casey is a local funeral director who once had his license suspended and was replaced by Alderman Steve Bostrom in 2010 who later served on the county board.
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(File Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
A couple of Aldermen, Bogdala (17) and Mau (8) however, expressed serious concern with this proposal and will be voting against it. Bogdala told KCE: “I am 100% opposed to this resolution. This resolution is cutting essential services and putting citizens (families, children, senior citizens, our own employees) lives in danger. This also disrupts commerce, businesses, schools if our roads are not clear.”
Bogdala was able to successfully change the city’s policy from 4 inches to 2 inches in 2016. This plan was universally supported by taxpayers and only changed the annual budget by .002%. KCE emailed the entire Council for comment.
Alderman Mau said “Keeping us safe and maintaining our roads always seem to be at the top of citizens’ wish lists. Snow plowing is a combination of those two. Plowing is a core service that all citizens rely on, and if the city is finally looking to cut back on spending, this is not where to do it. Instead we should focus on our $250 million debt and the millions spent on special interest development yearly. Most other WI cities plow at 2 inches as well. I was told this proposal could reduce wear and tear on the roads, but I haven’t seen any evidence to corroborate that, and I’m not convinced this proposal would’ve helped alleviate any staffing issues. However, I am interested in looking further into what we can do to reduce salting and improve employee morale and recruitment in the department.”
When contacted for comment, City Administrator John Morrissey told KCE “it is my understanding that the item will not me on the agenda.” KCE is unable to verify that Lamacchia has pulled the item or not. Another City Hall insider told KCE that Lamacchia is hoping to bring this issue up again in the Spring when “no one is paying attention.”
47 Responses
If this actually happens, it will make Kenosha seem ever more like Gary, Indiana than it does now.
Too late. Kenosha IS the new Gary Indiana. Enjoy the suck!
Another moronic view by Lamacchia.
Seems to
Make sense. Do you all shovel your driveway or wait till it accumulates more. Then cry about higher taxes
Hey dumb dumb…..people don’t drive 40MPH on their driveway. Apples to oranges.
Hey dumb dumb I doubt 2” will really affect someone. You act like it’s a fucken blizzard. Maybe drive to the conditions and not 40mph dumb dumb. Let me guess. You’re the same one who cries if their taxes go up all while you cry for more services to be done. Dumb dumb. Learn economics and how the monies work. Dumb dumb
It works well now. Side streets take a lot longer than main roads already. This would just make a lot more citizens have to wait even longer to get their roads done and be able to get kids to school, open businesses ect. .
Brah, go pay your $2k property tax bill for your little shack.
Who you talking to? I wish mine was $2,000. And smart mouth by a little troll. How about u ask mommy to help you buy your first home. Clown
Who is crying over a change of .002%?
I agree with Ald. May on this and I don’t agree with him that often.
First of all I’m shocked that a Socalist wants to save taxpayer money . 4 inches of snow on the road turns into ice after it has been driven on for a period of ice. Hence your creating a public safety problem to save a few cents. And attempting to sneak something through the council when no one is paying attention is a standard procedure for the Democrats on the Kenosha council. History speaks to that fact . But you get what you vote for Kenosha.
It is not a good idea, for three very good reasons: First the plows also salt the streets which would aid in melting further snow, secondly so you start to plow main streets at two inches, by the time you get to the side streets are they going to have 6” – 8”? Lastly, plowing later will undoubtedly create more accidents and in many cases might prevent people from going to work (think about drifting).
Finally an actual smart idea from a democrat. The streets suck as they are and no plans to repair (properly) anytime in the near future. You live in Wisconsin, suck it up and plan for snow. Diesel fuel, overtime, wear and tear, SALT, etc. cost the tax payers. Especially when they are not really needed.
You must not have read the article. The proposed change in taxes is only .002%.
It’s not about the citizens.
It is not a good idea, for three very good reasons: First the plows also salt the streets which would aid in melting further snow, secondly so you start to plow main streets at two inches, by the time you get to the side streets are they going to have 6” – 8”? Lastly, plowing later will undoubtedly create more accidents and in many cases might prevent people from going to work (think about drifting).
Rocco, Stick to drinking. You know nothing about roads or plowing.
You got balls to say that anonymous. He really does do a good job. Can’t make everyone happy. That’s why we all have pinions in choices to think one way and not the other way
Meanwhile, the county dems are ready to lay off half the Highway department plow drivers. Doesn’t seem like democrats believe taxpayers should receive the services they pay for…
Actually, it’s the county Republicans talking about laying off highway workers which makes no sense as nobody touched the operating budget.
As for the city, LaMacchia has to be off in the ozone politically and realistically. Most of us pay a shitload of taxes for services we don’t use but we damn well expect that our streets will be safe and cleared of snow and ice (and the city doesn’t do a very good job of it anyway). We can piss and moan about Steinbrink in Pleasant Prairie but overall they do a much better job of snow removal and it shows.
And, if you’re a student of history, in Chicago all of the indictments and prison sentences never made the Machine flinch. But the year they screwed around with plowing snow it was goodbye Michael Blandic and hello Mayor Jane Byrne.
Do your job , FYI Steinbrink was never around for plow seasons he was always MIA
The county crap is just that — crap. It’s an old script. Just before the Tremper-Bradford game the school board would threaten to cut athletics if they didn’t get more money. It’s a worn out tactic.
Here it’s worse. The county operating budget was approved and that includes highway maintenance. The board did not vote for more bonding for capital expenditures. That the county executive and her minions would be throwing out cutting snow plowing is a red herring because that money is already there. For someone who just got voted in she sure has been disappointing. It’s different when you find out that your job is more than just getting your picture taken at some church picnic, veterans ceremony or ribbon cutting.
They’re talking about laying off staff come April. Highway laborer wages are tied to CIP funding, which comes from bonding. Highways are already working with a short staff, no one wants to work for KCHD anymore. If layoffs happen in April, they likely will be unable to fill these positions come next winter. Winter comes around every year…
Isn’t there four or five million to work with? They should not be bonding for operating expenditures. If they were then there’s some huge management issues down there.
Absolutely a huge issue, but it is what it is. Wages & general operating costs should absolutely never be tied to borrowing, but it’s too late for that, now.
What are you even talking about? This article is about the City, not the county
The state pays counties to handle snow and ice removal on state highways and I think cities can also get some help if the city maintains state highway routes (such as Sheridan Road).
Does the city wait for 4 in of snow before they tell you you should clear the streets for plowing? No, they do not. Will we change that policy now so that people don’t have to stay off the road for plows that aren’t coming? We need the plows out there as often as possible, the snow plows are the only thing the city has for knocking down the big bumps in the pavement that make Kenosha seem like you’re driving on the moon. When the plows aren’t be used for plowing, they should have pavement Grinders on them and practice their routes with those
I have seen plows out plowing with almost now now on the ground! Tearing up the roads and spreading salt for no other reason than to collect an OVERTIME CHECK!
I support this proposal 100%!! Although I find it distasteful to agree with a Democrat… Rocco Lamacchia is right on this.
Keeping the streets safe is essential for emergency vehicle traffic and commerce. For all the taxes we pay in this town we should get the service.
There is a lot of difference between an honest 2 in of snow and almost no snow on the ground. Starting the plows out while there is 2 in on the ground seems perfectly reasonable unless it stopped snowing and supposed to get above freezing afterwards.
Who ever said he is a democrat . I’ve never seen or heard him say that!!!
Look at how he votes
Didn’t know you were in the voting both with him
The democrats are the ones laying off the county workers and blaming the republicans. Just go on any of their Facebook pages like Andy berg who’s has been shared a lot. Point the finger. It’s the democrats way
If the people of Kenosha are not receiving the services their taxes paid for then where is all the property tax money going? Also, what happened to all the Covid Relief money from the Federal Government? Very interesting I that Kenosha looks like downtown Beirut while other Wisconsin cities and towns are well kept and positively sparkling clean by comparison. How is it that tase cities and keep streets in good repair, provide good police and fire services etc while Kenosha can not? Could it be that these other cities are not run by corrupt Democrats?
Well, we’ve got to replace a lot of stuff that was burnt down by racist bastards including a brand new garbage truck. (Before anyone wastes everyone’s time yelling “insurance”, check into how the city is insured.)
Would the alderman be willing to extend his proposal to sidewalks?
Well, we’ve got to replace a lot of stuff that was burnt down by racist bastards including a brand new garbage truck. (Before anyone wastes everyone’s time yelling “insurance”, check into how the city is insured.)
This is a great example of letting politicians and bureaucrats muck up the works. I have decades of experience with snow removal and ice control procedures. The key is to get ahead of a storm and stay ahead of it. The earlier you get out the better. It becomes more difficult to remove ice (in particular) when you get out too late. The issue is public safety and the quicker the response the more likely it will be successful.
Attorney Solis is a fine young man. I would like to know why he is seeking the office and what he would do different than the present judge.
Looks like this belongs in another post.
I goofed. Thought I had two windows open. Thanks for the correction.
Unless it his Street .
Friday night was like driving on gravel! Can’t believe how much OT salt & payroll was wasted.
FELLOW KENOSHITES, HAVE YOU EVER RECEIVED A PARKING CITATION FOR PARKING ON THE WRONG SIDE OF THE STREET WHEN THERE IS NO SNOW? I DONT KNOW YOUR AGES, BUT WHEN I WAS A KID, IT NEVER WENT FROM BELOW ZERO TEMPS FOR A WEEK, THEN SHIRTSLEEVE TEMPS THE NEXT WEEK. LADIES & GENTLEMEN, WE HAVE MUCH MORE OMINOUS PROBLEMS THAN THE SNOW PLOWS…… GOD BLESS YOU ALL.