Our Viewpoint: Be respectful of winter workers

Well, winter is definitely here. All of Sanders County has been hit with several inches ­— and in many places several feet — of snow, and frigid temperatures.

While it’s no fun to drive on these winter roads, it’s important that we all do our part to help out those state, county and city employees who are tasked with keeping roadways clear.

The normal business routine of going in at 8 a.m. and leaving promptly at 5 p.m. doesn’t apply to those hard-working folks who get behind the wheel of snowplows and loaders to clear parking lots and roads.

There are no local ordinances mandating people not park overnight in order to give room for plows to clear the streets. But it’s a common courtesy and should be a common practice for residents. Not only does it allow snowplow drivers space to clear the roadways and parking areas, but it helps you, too. It’s much easier for residents to move their vehicles rather than spend each morning digging themselves out. Especially when we have storms such as last week’s that dumped snow more than one day.

Thanks, and happy winter, to those who are out there early in the mornings clearing school bus routes, roadways and parking areas.