73-year-old shares struggles with icy sidewalks after slipping four times in a month

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — A 25-year resident with serious medical conditions is criticizing Fort St. John’s snow and ice removal services after slipping and falling four times over the last month.

Don Workman is a retired heavy-duty mechanic who has been living in Fort St. John since 2000.

He has a long and complex medical history which includes a heart attack, three strokes, open heart surgery and two knee replacements. 

Every day at 9 a.m., Workman goes out to walk Gypsy, his Siberian husky, around town regardless of the weather. 

“Rain, shine, snow, cold, hot, whatever, we go for our walk,” says Workman. 

Workman says he has slipped and fallen on the ice four times in the last month, including one incident where he hit his head on the sidewalk.

Ryan Harvey, the City of Fort St John’s media relations officer, said the city works hard to keep the roads and sidewalks safe – tackling rapidly changing weather conditions during the winter – but urges people to be cautious.

He also reminded residential property owners that the sidewalks in front of their properties are their responsibility to clear.

On January 26th, Workman decided to voice his complaints on one of Fort St. John’s community Facebook groups. 

According to Workman, 106th Street between 100th Avenue and 114th Avenue and other areas around his house have been left in an unacceptable condition due to the slipping hazards and need proper attention. 

“If you’re going to do it, do it right, scrape the sidewalk, put the sander on the back of the skid steer,” said Workman.

He alleged the city’s services have been decreasing over the last five years. 

Ryan Harvey, the City of Fort St John’s media relations officer, addressed Workman’s complaints, saying the services offered have changed due to rapidly changing weather conditions during the winter.

“We’re seeing a lot more freeze and thaw cycles, which require additional tools or methods to clear, we’ve had several periods of time where it’s been above zero, which causes melting of the snow,” said Harvey. 

Harvey is reassuring residents that the city works to keep the roads and sidewalks safe but still urges people to be cautious. 

“We encourage everyone to be careful when they’re out. We try to maintain them to the best of our abilities, given the sometimes challenging weather environment,” said Harvey. 

“We certainly have the resources. We maintain the roads, but also a large portion of sidewalks and the city’s trail network.”

Harvey also said the city clears many sidewalks in the community but reminded residential property owners that they are responsible for clearing the sidewalks in front of their homes.

He added: “The city does clear several sidewalks throughout the community, either major transportation routes, the downtown core, school zones, and in front of city properties as well.

“We do a significant portion of sidewalks already, but it is also the responsibility of homeowners to ensure that their sidewalks are cleared as well.”

Harvey encourages residents to use the ‘report a problem’ form on the city’s website or call 311 if they notice any icy areas needing attention.