12 mail Monday, January 11, 2010 D The early bird... An angry cardinal chases a hungry wren away from a feeder in frozen conditions near Maysville, Kentucky, in the US Picture: AP The Big Picture Time to get stuck in This is a shovel: People use them I must say that Im a little confounded to hear people complaining constantly about the icy roads and footpaths, when I have yet to see one solitary person in Dublin clearing the footpath outside their own house of ice and snow. The whole country has shut down as a result of just 5cm of snow! Where I come from, snow falls ten times that much are common during winter. Things do get shut down due to the heavy snowfalls, but as soon as the snow has stopped, people are outside clearing their footpaths, helping elderly residents clear their footpaths and generally trying to make the communitys footpaths less treacherous. It is quite understandable that the various town councils do not have enough salt/grit for all the roads, as this is not a regular occurrence. However, what is incomprehensible is the fact that most people I talk to expect Dublin City Council to clear all the roads and footpaths, while at the same time doing nothing for themselves or their community. Grab a shovel, Dublin (and the rest of Ireland), and get out there and help make the footpaths safe after a heavy snowfall! But, of course, if it isnt cleared after the initial snowfall, it all becomes packed ice and then becomes nearly impossible to clear until everything is melted... So at this point, maybe everyone is better off just sitting around and complaining about the DCC: perhaps your misdirected anger will keep you warm! N Frazier, Stoneybatter Dublins best-read letters page Metro Mail E-mail letters to mail@metroherald.ie with a name. Or text us. Text MAIL followed by comment and name to 53131. *Texts cost 30cent per message + standard network charges. SP. Opera Telecom, Hospitality House, Cumberland Street South, D2. Customer service number 0818286606 talk to us DIY: When is Ireland going to apply a law that every household/ company is obliged to clean snow/ defrost ice on the footpath in front of their property? A lot of money and bones could be saved if each of us invest 30 minutes of our time and just 1 for a pack of salt. Maria, from south of Europe Mr Blister: I know Ive said it before and I know other people have too, but Im really getting tired of Mr Cranky wasting my time every morning. Why do you print everything he writes? The last time I asked, guess what, it wasnt printed nobody cares about his cats or his couch! Surely there are other contributors to choose from? Mr Cheery Ice ice baby: Whats all this talk about the Arctic weather weve been experiencing recently its not Arctic at all. Minus 30 is Arctic, were around -5C, so could we not exaggerate please and instead call it something like Scottish weather instead? Mr Cranky, D7 Good stuff: Congratulations on your nuptials, Metro Herald. I love the new publications style and hope to see many years of news, sport and success! Arran In Brief If weather like this is going to be normal, can we maybe start getting prepared for next year? No grit? Quarries out there are offering it for free... No salt? Start building desalination plants! These will reduce unemployment, well get extra drinking water and we can sell the unused salt to other countries that need it. Also, if the public sector is offered the option of unpaid leave again to save more money, make most of them take it during bad weather conditions, reducing road and foot traffic... Just a thought! Tony G In this cold weather, why cant we arrange for hotels that are not busy to take in some old folks from their area and let them stay a few nights in a safe and warm place where they can even have some company? Maybe the Government could arrange a grant for this as it would stop the elderly from ending up in hospital with cold-related illnesses and injuries. I wouldnt mind my tax going towards that, would you? Aud S Sendusyour txt Modest Woman, what would you prefer, to be scanned and violated, or blown apart a mile above the Earth? The new body scanners are an essential piece of security to keep me, you, and us all safe! Ste H God help us all now that John Gormley has been put in charge of the current grit and salt crisis! I suggest he sticks to his beloved bicycle and rides off into the frozen night to greener pastures... But that would take true grit! Proinsias ORathaille Darren R, you are the incapable driver if youre moaning about careful drivers in the snow/ice. Speed kills, not conscientious drivers. Youre probably using the hard shoulder right now to pass someone arent you, Mr Capable? Lynda B How fab is this weather? Community spirit is alive and well, no mundane January blues, speaking to neighbours Ive never spoken to before and how pretty is the city! Its so exciting, so quit moaning folks and enjoy! PL txt MAIL to 53131* The best pictures are in Metro Herald index.html2.html3.html4.html5.html6.html7.html8.html9.html10.html11.html12.html13.html14.html15.html16.html17.html18.html19.html20.html21.html22.html23.html