Mayor Menino and Governor Patrick, May We Please Go Outside?

Posted by John B. Kelly

The surprise advent of a Norlund Inverted Coastal Trough, which has today shown up on weather maps as a black dotted line tailing away from the now-distant storm, has meant for a lot more snow than anticipated.-- 8 inches rather than one or two. The snow is now wrapping up, which means that tomorrow will be a great test of Boston's new snow removal ordnance.

The unanimously-passed ordinance specifies how snow and ice should be cleared from the city's sidewalks and curb cuts, and increases fines for violators. The goal of sponsors Arroyo, Yancey, and Ross was to improve access for people disabilities especially.

So here is a challenge, the irony of which we hope people will be able to grasp: will the members of Neighborhood Access Group, a group dedicated to making access on the sidewalks of Boston a reality for everybody, be able to use the sidewalks to attend our holiday party on Saturday afternoon?

We formally request that the city of Boston, the state's Department of Conservation and Recreation, and local property owners follow the law by ensuring clear sidewalks and curb cuts in the Fenway by sunset Friday.