MILWAUKEE — A disabled veteran and his wife are trying to put an end to their plow problems. It all started in January, when several feet of snow pushed in front of their driveway left them snowed in.
LuAnn Bird and her disabled husband Phil said they aren’t looking for preferential treatment from plow drivers — but they do want to see snow cleared and distributed evenly across the driveways in their cul-de-sac.
“An excessive amount ends up landing in our driveway, causing a hazard. Over 3 feet of snow,” Luann said.
The problem started last month, and despite several emails and calls to the Village of Hales Corners president and village administrator, LuAnn and Phil said nothing has changed.
“They’re well aware that I’m a disabled vet in a wheelchair, and it doesn’t seem to matter,” Phil said.
The couple even got creative with their plea — building a snowman last Thursday and putting him in a wheelchair with a sign that reads "Paralyzed veteran lives here, please don’t plow me in." But Luann said after Sunday’s snowstorm into Monday morning — the sign was ignored and even the snowman was left snowed in.
“It’s a lot of pressure on our family, on us to be worried every time it snows whether or not we’re going to be able to get an emergency vehicle in here if we need it,” LuAnn aid.
LuAnn's next step is to meet with a village representative.
Here is a statement from the Village of Hales Corners:
"The Village of Hales Corners Department of Public Works (DPW) has the responsibility for the control of snow and ice on local public roads. Reasonable snow and ice control is necessary for routine travel, deliveries, and emergency services. The Village endeavors to provide snow and ice control throughout the Village in a safe, cost effective manner, and as fair and equitable as possible. The cul-de-sac in question is part of the one of Villages’ three plow routes and is comprised of approximately 11 centerline miles (22 lane miles) of road. This specific route also includes major streets such as Edgerton Ave, Grange Ave, and the Hales Corners Fire Department parking lot. The goal is to open the roads efficiently to provide for the safe travel of residents and emergency services. In addition, a vacant lot located in this cul-de-sac was recently developed. Historically this vacant lot provided a large space for the placement of snow. Since 2017, this space is no longer readily available and our plowing operation has been altered to accommodate this change resulting in the redistribution of snow among all properties in the cul-de-sac."
