Residents of Milwaukee are speaking up about snow plowing inefficiencies following a December storm that left the city under four inches of snow. Alderman Lamont Westmoreland has taken the concerns to the next level by filing a communication to be addressed at the Public Works Committee meeting this Wednesday. The Dec. 20 snow event highlighted flaws in the City of Milwaukee's response, a situation that Westmoreland says demands a serious and transparent discussion.
In the aftermath of the snowfall, the city found itself inundated with calls and emails from its citizens—streets remained buried, some untouched by plows, while others were hastily and inadequately cleared. In a statement obtained by the City of Milwaukee, Alderman Westmoreland expressed his frustration: "In the days, and in some cases weeks, following our first substantial snow of the season, I was receiving many calls and emails from residents about how long it took for their roads to be plowed, if they were plowed at all, and when they were plowed how it often seemed inadequate."
The underwhelming response from the Department of Public Works (DPW) has not gone unnoticed by city officials, with Westmoreland emphasizing a lack of meaningful communication from the department's leadership. Facing repeated failures to effectively manage snowfall in the past, the alderman is pressing for action and accountability. "Moreover, it has felt like in the aftermath of this event the communication I have received from DPW leadership has been nonexistent," says Westmoreland, as cited by the communication file. "It’s time to get real and stop blowing smoke about our repeated shortcomings in regards to snow plowing," as stated by the City of Milwaukee.
Before the committee meeting set to delve into the matter, a letter from Alderman Westmoreland was sent to DPW leadership, outlining his concerns and laying the groundwork for Wednesday's conversation. Reflecting the burden shouldered by the constituents in wintery conditions, the alderman's communication seeks answers and solutions that will better serve the Milwaukee community moving forward. He is clear in his expectations: "Residents and elected officials alike deserve a transparent conversation about why leadership seemingly hasn’t learned lessons from past years, and moving forward what can actionably be done to ensure residents receive the service they deserve," as per the City of Milwaukee.
