Times Confirms SDOT Snow Response Was Incompetent

"Snow Shoes" by BrittneyBush.

In a grim, darkly hilarious special report, the Times has confirmed that the guys in charge of dealing with Snowmageddon in December didn't know what they were doing--as in, they had no experience dealing with a major snowstorm and they made "questionable calls" right and left. From the report:

"Mr. Jackson had no idea of what was going on," said Sione Kongaika, a plow driver who recently retired after 31 years with the Seattle Department of Transportation. Two or three days into the first major snowfall, "all he was doing is yelling, 'We have to get more plows downtown. The mayor can't get to the office.' "

Wealthy areas and the mayor's neighborhood got special attention. The city told us they were plowing major prioritized routes, but those routes didn't get plowed--while special requests were filled right and left. Even the city council knew something was wrong, spoke up about it, and were pretty much ignored. Egads. Maybe now we'll see some accountability from SDOT on this disaster.

Contact the author of this article or email tips@seattlest.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By Katelyn in News on March 19, 2009 9:30 AM

Comments [rss]

ChrisB

I was so glad I was sitting down when I read this. Incompetence? Really? What are the bloody odds?!

Troy Morris

Wait... Dan Savage accept the challenge?! Oh come on. Pay attention, people are investigating running against Nickels. More competent and much more likely to than Savage.

Seattle Antagonist

Everyone who claims to be thinking about running, eventually says that they are not going to run because Mayor Nickels is to powerful and established. At least that is how it has been going. If someone is actually going to follow through with their claim that would be nice to hear.

Troy Morris

And you think Dan is the guy who isn't just blowing smoke up everyone's ass?

He can't even finish his commitment run a paper.

Audrey

Now can people finally get fired for this blatant show of incompetence? Please? I DEMAND BLOOOOOOOOOOD!

Seattle Antagonist

It is kind of sad that nobody will run against the mayor. The guy is useless and only hurts Seattle. Hopefully Dan Savage will accept the challenge.