Blizzard Open Thread

They closed during a snow storm for a half day 4-5 years ago when there was the fire at the power station and they didn't have heat or light for many of the buildings.

Other than that, evilwife remembers they had a snow day when she was a Freshman back in '87-'88.

I've been here since 1982, and I have no recollection of a snow day in '87-'88, and that's the sort of thing I tend to remember.

I do remember someone making an mx missile on the quad (out of snow) to protest same. Later on, someone added testicles to it, and changed how the tip of the missile looked.

While I was flipping through Fox & Friends this morning I saw that they have a reporter in Champaign today to cover the storm. I didn't recognize the street they were on, but I think it was around downtown. Even if you don't like Fox News, its cool that Champaign is getting some national, non-University related, facetime.

So we get annexed to the City of Champaign through a 'developer deal'.  Then we are forced into the City of Champaign Township by the Champaign County Board after voting not to join.  Now after all that government intervention we are stranded with the first snowfall.  Our former Champaign Township did a much better job, with our streets plowed by 8 am.  Nice to know that my higher taxes are being spent on something besides snow removal.

Urbana just let us leave work because the County is going to stop plowing roads soon since they can't keep up with the weather.  I'll stick with municipal services which will keep plowing.

 County is going to stop plowing roads soon since they can't keep up with the weather.  I'll stick with municipal services which will keep plowing.

Ummm, county roads aren't the same as city streets. It's windy out here. I doubt the county will stop altogether but rather assess the best use of time.

I saw Green St. on Fox Channel several times today. They even have a reporter describing it. I called my mom up north so she could see for herself what's happening. And because of the coverage, the B-B accident is getting coverage nationally.

The City of Champaign just quite plowing.  My earlier post does not reflect any bad feelings for those out there trying to clear the street.  My disappointment is in the decision makers who do not provide adequate services.  However, I have confirmed, on foot, that Champaign Township has their area  of responsibility plowed.

Lots of people on this blog have a problem went the decision makers are questioned, they automaticly assume the people who are executing those decisions are being question. 

We are allowed to question decision makers in this country which is not a reflection on those who are required to honor those decisions.  As a government worker, I was responsible to carry out decisions, informed or uninformed, political or reasonable, cost effective or cost prohibitive.   I received great support in my job from those who questioned the decision makers. 

They may cancel classes tomorrow too. Too bad these snow days don't seem quite as exciting as the old ones....

I saw many huddled students/grad assistants trudging to class this morning prior to the after 8 announcement.   Maybe the powers to be did not get up early enough to make the decision early enough to stop this dedicated but worthless effort by those with early classes.  Hopefully they will be more timely in the future.

My heart goes out to the local florist and delivery drivers. I can not imagine what tomorrow will be like for them!

When I was out shoveling the snow this morning the mailman came by. It was a few hours earlier than it usually tends to be. Maybe because of that he didn't have mail for about half the mail boxes.

I would guess his average speed was about a fifth of what it normally is. The truck got stuck a lot so he had to reverse. There's just no way to go very fast and get to everybody when all the roads are covered in a couple feet of snow.

The City of Champaign seems to be doing a great job in the face of what looks to me to be the worst blizzard in 30 years. I know my efforts at keeping my driveway and sidewalk clean is fighting a losing battle with drifting snow, so I imagine they are facing the same setbacks.

I cannot imagine working 12 hours shifts in the cab of a dump truck, and sleeping on the floor at the public works department between shifts, but that's what they are doing.

The arterial streets are being kept open for emergency responses and that's probably more important to all of us than cleaning the side streets and ignoring the arterial streets, especially when there is no where to go.

I bet a dancing Chief Illiniwek would do wonders in this weather. The streets would be clear in no time.

Save the Chief!

Ol' Guy,

Please provide your address so we can all send you flaming hate mail.

:)

My back is killing me from 2 days of shoveling.