Our View: In big snows, Duluth, clear the way for ‘Fast and Flurrious’

Those name-a-snowplow contests may get all the attention — and why not? They’re fun, right? Who doesn’t snicker at “Blizzard of Oz,” “Scoop! There it Is,” “Ope Just Gonna Plow Right Past Ya,” and even Duluth’s winning plow moniker for this year, “Enger Plower”?

But when whiteout squalls turn sideways and the snow starts piling up ankle- and then knee-deep, we don’t care much anymore about the cute names of the emergency vehicles barreling toward us. Only that they can get through and get the job done. And only what we’re supposed to be doing to help ensure effective street clearing and snow removal. You know, so we can get back to more important things, like funny and punny nicknames.

In Duluth, our role during major snow events changes this year. On Oct. 28, the City Council passed a new snow emergency ordinance . Were you aware? It perhaps got lost in the latest snowplow-naming announcement. More importantly, are you ready for the new plan?

If you’re an on-street parker and hated how the city had you move your car during snow emergencies to some designated, often-inconvenient lot, good news: Those days are done.

Now, when the city declares a snow emergency — by 4 p.m., according to the new ordinance, and only after the timing of a coming storm, the amount of snow expected, and how wet the snow is supposed to be are all considered — simply stay parked in accordance with the alternate-side parking rule. Then, after Plowy McPlowface or another plow comes through to clear the opposite side of the street, move your car there. Finally, move your car back once both sides of the street are taken care of, back in compliance with alternate-side parking.

Simple, right? Simple enough? Surely, it’s simpler than moving to some far-off parking lot. It’s at least worth a try. The city did spend the summer coming up with the plan, after all, according to Mayor Roger Reinert.

“One of the biggest problems we have in a snow event is when people are parked on the wrong side or, worse, on both sides of the street; what happens is plows can't get through,” Reinert said in a video posted to social media in November. “They might not plow that block or maybe that entire section of street, and I saw it firsthand during (a) ride-along.”

“It is all about helping our plow drivers,” Reinert said in another video. “We want them to be able to plow curb to curb as quickly and efficiently as possible. And the only way that happens is that we help them out by moving our cars.”

So, recapping our role: “Step one (once a snow emergency is declared): do nothing,” the mayor said. “Park where you're supposed to park based on alternate-side parking. Step two, move to the other side of the street so they can plow that side of the street (you had been on). Step three, return home. It actually is that simple.”

OK, maybe not super simple. Not as simple, perhaps, as “Clearopathra,” “Han Snowlo,” or “Better Call Salt.” But doable, right? At least worth giving a try this winter, and then let’s reevaluate come spring.