Helena City Manager Ron Alles announced this morning that he would be sending the City’s lone plow to Florida today as a rare winter storm blasts the Southern United States.  “We are excited to have been asked to assist in this effort and to show the South how we handle snow up here every winter.”  Alles doesn’t believe this will create any hardships for Helena residents as they have completed their snow adjustment operations for the season.

Helena’s solitary plow has been in operation for sometime and, according to City officials, is in pristine condition given it’s low miles and time stored in the City shops.  While many Helena residents have expressed concerns, and at times, even anger over the lack of plowing on local streets, Alles insists the City runs a model program.  “Helena runs an admirable plan to the adjustment of snow on the two streets we believe should be dealt with.  We move that snow from the driving lanes into driveways and walkways of local residents and then get that plow back into the shop to prevent rust on both the plow and the undercarriage.’

Alles also pointed out that the City approach will work well in Florida given the population of Florida and it’s image as a retirement state.  “Most of those elderly citizens of Florida really don’t have anywhere to go so having their driveways blocked by snow should be of no consequence.  And this should be a short lived event in Florida given that normal temperatures are expected to return to Florida soon.”

Alles anticipates that the plow will be returned to Helena sometime in early August in time for it’s annual showing in the Last Chance Stampede Parade.

TGTJ

‘Maybe all men got one big soul ever’body’s a part of.’