Plows cleanup winter storm despite obstacles

Tools

Plows cleanup winter storm despite obstacles

By PAT BAILEY

UTICA, N.Y. (WKTV) - Plows all across the Mohawk Valley had the tall task of t cleaning up Fridays snow storm. Plow drivers say the clean up after any storm would be much faster if people at home would help them out.

Ray Tantillo has been plowing City of Utica street for 12 years, says he speaks for all plow drivers when he says keeping cars off the snowy city streets is a big help.
    
"That's a big obstacle during the day.You can't move around at all, cars are parked everywhere." said Tantillo.
    
If Tantillo encounters a situation where he can't get by parked cars, he beeps the plows horn. He says sometimes that horn works, and people come out to move their vehicles, other times it doesn't.
    
"You have to pick the blades up and try to go around them and put them back down," Tantillo said
    
"And if you leave a mess they call up, they complain."
    
Tantillo says sometimes an angry phone call isn't enough, often times he says people throw shovels at the plows.
    
When a snow emergency is declared, like there was in Utica Friday, plows have the right away on the roadway, and at every intersection. Despite these obstacles and despite being on the front end of a 16 hour shift early Friday night, Tantillo says he enjoys being in the drivers seat.     
    
"A lot of guys don't enjoy the snow and don't like plowing and stuff, but I enjoy plowing I would work around the clock if I could." said Tantillo.

View comments

The following comments do not necessarily represent the views of NBC-WKTV News Channel 2. Users have agreed to these terms and in doing so accept full responsibility for their comments. Moderation is limited.

Monday, Dec 22 at 11:29 AM SP wrote ...

If everyone would just cooperate with each other, we'd all be happy. Move your cars off the road, it's just common sense! We live where it snows. If you can't stand the snow, move to FL!!!! I can't believe all the senseless comments on here. What ever happened to maturity??? Time to grow up and help one another "dig out"!!! There's plenty more snow to come!!!!!

13991928 Inappropriate? Alert Us!

Sunday, Dec 21 at 10:42 PM Mike Jones wrote ...

I live on a corner lot where there is a fire hydrant, I personally cleaned the fire hydrant 2 times because the dpw doesnt care that its there nor care the the firemen have to dig them out. Slow down dpw look out and maybe push the snow away from the fire hydrant or move away from it!! If there is a fire and they cant find a hydrant im suing!!!

13978133 Inappropriate? Alert Us!

Sunday, Dec 21 at 2:40 PM Annonymous wrote ...

I have one complaint for the City of Utica Plows. You guys plow the Parkway way too fast. I live on the Parkway and I can hardly do the sidewalks with a snowblower because you guys plow way too fast and throw all the snow and sand and salt way up on the sidewalks. I try to keep my sidewalks clean, but you guys make it very hard for even snowblowers to clear them. Please, take it a little slower.

13965083 Inappropriate? Alert Us!

Sunday, Dec 21 at 10:06 AM Anonymous wrote ...

to Anonymous....maybe the plow sits on the corner and waits till you finish your driveway ..... my god ...you have one driveway to clean they have how many streets ????? if you in a hurry clean the street yourself you think they wave a magic wand and its done ???? some people are never happy no matter what .. its so sad..and those of you that throw your shovel at the plow .... if i was the driver your street would never get plowed....

13956218 Inappropriate? Alert Us!

Sunday, Dec 21 at 9:47 AM Whatever wrote ...

Is it necessary to plow every primary road time after time after time? Sure they need to be done but so does the rest of the city. I can sypmathize with annonymous. The last storm, only one side of my road was plowed.

13955848 Inappropriate? Alert Us!

Sunday, Dec 21 at 2:02 AM .... wrote ...

How about plowing west street more often than NEVER.

13949703 Inappropriate? Alert Us!

Sunday, Dec 21 at 12:05 AM Anonymous wrote ...

you know everyone can not be first ...chill out they will get to you ....

13947508 Inappropriate? Alert Us!

Saturday, Dec 20 at 10:44 PM leave the plows alone. wrote ...

Come on people move your cars out of the road so they can clear them. i cant tell you how many times i see streets that are undriveable only be cause some people left their cars in the street. throwing shovels at the plows? can oyu say childish? they are just trying to do their job and make life easier for you. give them a break!

13945928 Inappropriate? Alert Us!

Saturday, Dec 20 at 6:54 PM groomer wrote ...

I give the plows the same courtesy as I would an ambulance or police vehicle. When you meet an oncoming plow I pull as far right as is safe and slow down, this allows the operator plenty of operating room. Running a plow is a tough job and drivers do not need added stress by a road hog.

13941463 Inappropriate? Alert Us!

Saturday, Dec 20 at 4:11 PM jj wrote ...

just one of a million reasons why I wouldn't be caught dead living in the city of Utica.

13937403 Inappropriate? Alert Us!

Saturday, Dec 20 at 3:56 PM Nana wrote ...

My side street and Herkimer Road were plowed during last night and are in great shape. Of course, we do NOT leave cars parked on the street either! Thanks DPW for doing a good job here in N. Utica.

13937108 Inappropriate? Alert Us!

Saturday, Dec 20 at 1:39 PM Anonymous wrote ...

plow the streets in a timely manner. the city always waits until the roads are covered to the point where it is difficult to drive on them. i swear the plow waits until i completly finish my driveway and then comes around the corner never fails,if im done with my driveway already why cant they be done with the streets????

13933823 Inappropriate? Alert Us!

Saturday, Dec 20 at 1:31 PM Dear Anonymous wrote ...

Why don't you see if you can shovel it out yourself? Only a block, you say? Or, you COULD try another "avenue" ... it is called PATIENCE.

13933638 Inappropriate? Alert Us!

Saturday, Dec 20 at 12:19 PM Off Sunset ave wrote ...

So what is the DPW to do if your neighbor is throwing the snow in the road instead of there lawn? I thought this was illegal. Also what about the morons who drive with just the windshield cleared off and nothing else? Thought that was illegal. PEOPLE STOP AND TAKE 5 MINUTES TO CLEAR YOUR CARS OFF!!!

13931543 Inappropriate? Alert Us!

Saturday, Dec 20 at 9:39 AM jfr wrote ...

hey give these snow plow guys a break will ya. don't be a jerk to them, they work hard to keep your roads clear. if it wasn't for them you wouldn't be able to drive on the streets. so get your cars out of their way so the can do their job.

13927718 Inappropriate? Alert Us!

Saturday, Dec 20 at 9:15 AM you get what you deserve wrote ...

I know of a really good way to get those cars off the streets.... Well actually you need to find out how much damage it causes to the plow to, umm!! plow the cars off the street.. now that would be fun for the driver!!!

13927353 Inappropriate? Alert Us!

Saturday, Dec 20 at 6:21 AM Annonymous wrote ...

5:21 am saturday, Road stikk not plowed. Our road is 1 block long with no obstacles. Probably at Dunkin Donuts.

13926088 Inappropriate? Alert Us!

Saturday, Dec 20 at 2:05 AM annonymous wrote ...

1:05 am saturday. street still not plowed. I bet the mayors street was the 1st one plowed.

13924478 Inappropriate? Alert Us!

Add a comment

Name:

Comment: 500 Characters Left

NBC-WKTV News Channel 2 and its affiliated companies are not responsible for the content of comments posted or for anything arising out of use of the above comments or other interaction among the users. We reserve the right to screen, refuse to post, remove or edit user-generated content at any time and for any or no reason in our absolute and sole discretion without prior notice, although we have no duty to do so or to monitor any Public Forum.

I have read and agree to the terms

Hide comments

Weather

Icon
Current Temp 72.0 °F
Mostly Cloudy
More Weather

AP Video

Stock Quotes

Permanent Client link holder

This content requires the latest Adobe Flash Player and a browser with JavaScript enabled. Click here for a free download of the latest Adobe Flash Player.

What's On