Slippery city-owned sidewalks a 'double standard'

Calgarians have to clean their sidewalksor they pay a fine, but some are findingthe city isn't cleaning allof its walkways.

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Some city councillors don't think that's fair.

"It truly is a double standard when you see that citizens have to do this butyet the city doesn't," said Coun. DianeColley-Urquhart.

John Percic says he tries to clear the snow from the paved city walkway that runs between his house and his neighbour's house in Canyon Meadows.

Butothersin the community have not beentouched all winter and are becoming hard-packed icy hazards.

"That's an issue for a lot of the neighbourhood and a lot of the people who use these sidewalks [and] walkways, so we want to make sure they're clean ...for those that need to use them," saidPercic.

Right now, these walkwaysfound between people's homesaren't cleared unless someone complains about them. The city says they are the lowest priority.

Some city councillors say people who live next to those walkways should clear them but others, likeColley-Urquhart, say that's ridiculous.

She says the city should ensure its more than 2,000walkways are safe.

However, doing that workcould cost up to $5 milliona year.

A council committee decidedto ask administration to develop a plan to be discussed later this year on what to include in next year's budget.