Severe weather situations seem to bring out the best and worst of people. On the same street there can be a strong sense of community, with many striving toward a shared goal, while at the same time, further down the road, there are individuals acting with complete disregard toward others. For as many stories we hear about neighbors helping one another clear driveways, there are tales of disrespect, like trucks dumping snow on side streets and plows trashing someone’s landscaping, with drivers not so much as apologizing. As tempers flare while residents are given more unsatisfying excuses for slow progress on snow removal, it’s helpful to take the long view, or at least, get out of the house and take a walk.

Vehicles freshly parked on Putnam Street during the parking ban on Sunday evening.
Vehicles freshly parked on Putnam Street during the parking ban on Sunday evening.

Heading down uncleared Russ Street, where people seemed to be perpetually pushing stuck cars and pickup trucks.
Heading down uncleared Russ Street, where people seemed to be perpetually pushing stuck cars and pickup trucks.
Questions about Firebox being opened were answered upon seeing the unplowed parking lot and unshoveled sidewalk
Questions about Firebox being opened were answered upon seeing the unshoveled sidewalks.
Not everyone has become irrationally angry during this storm.
Not everyone has become irrationally angry during this storm.
This dashes ones confidence, no? The truck is in the lot on the corner of Asylum and Ann.
This dashes one's confidence, no? The truck is in the lot on the corner of Asylum and Ann.
If youve been wondering where the snow removal has taken place, look downtown. Between City and private services, much of downtown is accessible -- at least to those whose vehicles have good tires and some clearance.
If you've been wondering where the snow removal has taken place, look downtown. Between City and private services, much of downtown is accessible -- at least to those whose vehicles have good tires and some clearance.
Tiny snowpersons were spotted in and around Bushnell Park
Tiny snowpersons were spotted in and around Bushnell Park

The sidewalks and parking lots around the Legislative Office Building and State Capitol were remarkably clear, no doubt in part due to this machine.
The sidewalks and parking lots around the Legislative Office Building and State Capitol were remarkably clear, no doubt in part due to this machine.
The sidewalks were dry enough to walk on in spike heels around the State Capitol, but nobody bothered to clear the fire hydrant.
The sidewalks were dry enough to walk on in spike heels around the State Capitol, but nobody bothered to clear the fire hydrant.
Despite the clean sidewalk, pedestrians still have to contend with the lack of curbcuts. Once in this maze, pedestrians need to climb over snow banks to cross Capitol Avenue or the I-84 ramps.
Despite the clean sidewalk, pedestrians still have to contend with the lack of curbcuts. Once in this maze, pedestrians need to climb over snow banks to cross Capitol Avenue or the I-84 ramps.
387 Capitol Avenue has not shoveled its sidewalk. This has been the case every year in recent memory.
One property on the block of Capitol Avenue between Lawrence and Babcock has not shoveled its sidewalk. This has been the case with this property every year in recent memory.