Snow removal becomes a campaign issue in Orange

ORANGE, NJ — In an election year, even something as basic as snow removal following a big winter storm can turn into a political football to be tossed around by candidates and their supporters.

Last year, residents came to an Orange City Council meeting to complain about the city’s response or lack to a series of snowstorms that kept pounding the area. But when Winter Storm Jonas dropped nearly 3 feet of snow on Orange and much of New Jersey on Saturday, Jan. 23, they didn’t even wait until the next council meeting, going online to social media to post pictures and videos of their unplowed streets on Sunday, Jan. 24, and in the days thereafter, once the cleanup effort had begun.

Some, such as East Ward Councilman and 2016 mayoral candidate Kerry Coley, used his cell phone to send text messages complaining about the city’s response to the first big snowstorm of 2016. Coley is running for mayor on the “Team for Orange” ticket that includes incumbent Councilwoman at large Donna K. Williams and newcomers Christopher Jackson and Vanessa Arroyave, who are running for the other two at large council seats in the municipal election in May.

“I should be certified by the end of this week,” Coley said on Tuesday, Jan. 26. “So far, I’m the only candidate to turn in petitions. As of last Friday, I turned in 325 petitions and only 161 is required.”

Although Mayor Dwayne Warren, who is running for re-election this year, has not formally announced his slate of candidates, Councilman at large Elroy Corbitt and Council President April Gaunt-Butler ran on his winning ticket in 2012 and both are up for re-election this year.

In response to the storm of criticism spawned by the blizzard, the city’s Office of Communications sent out an email blast regarding snow removal efforts in Orange on Monday, Jan. 25.

“We’re still working to get your streets clear,” Warren said in the release. “The city of Orange is comprised of 9.9 square miles of road surface, which is cleared in the following order: hills; bridges; emergency routes and all major arteries in and out of the city limits; snow in and around catch basins is removed immediately to avoid flooding and sewer backups.”

Warren said, “Public Works is working day and night to remove snow from your streets. Once all emergency roads have been cleared, snow removal will begin on neighborhood streets. The plowing is done curb to curb, which involves plowing from the center of the street first, then plowing each side of the street. All snow plows angle the same way; to the driver’s right. While plowing, the plow will push the snow in front of a residential driveway.”

Warren also said he understands residents who have been blocked in by snow on their neighborhood streets are frustrated with the snow removal schedule, but he said the DPW has a limited supply of men and machines, which means they have to prioritize which parts of Orange to tackle first.

“Public Works is clearing main roads first, for the safety of seniors and the disabled,” Warren said. “The homeowner is responsible for access to his/her driveway. The only way to avoid additional snow removal is to wait until DPW work crews have completed their final cleanup of your road. Most streets will require three to four passes. Some streets may require as few as two passes or as many as five passes.”

Warren said, “Hopefully, this will answer any questions you may have had regarding snow removal.” But he said anyone interested in learning more about the city’s snow removal policy can visit www.ci.orange.nj.us to review or download the Snow Removal Guide.

“Your patience throughout this emergency is appreciated,” Warren said. “Remember: for emergencies, always call 9-1-1.”

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