Fines won't keep man from clearing others' driveways

A Newfoundland man who often drives his riding snowblower across the street to clear neighbours' driveways has no plans to stop -- even though he faces a hefty fine if he's caught.

Corner Brook, N.L. municipal police recently issued a formal warning to Pat Hickey after they observed him perched atop his John Deere snowblower crossing the roadway from his own home to his neighbour's property just a few metres away.

Hickey purchased his riding snowblower earlier this winter and has been voluntarily clearing snow from many of his neighbours' driveways, most of whom are seniors.

"I thought it would be nice to help them out but the city didn't see it that way," said Hickey.

Last week, the city Hickey slapped with a ticket warning, accusing him of operating a recreational vehicle on a city street which is in violation of a municipal by-law. The city claimed Hickey was causing traffic disruptions.

Hickey said he minds the traffic and he's received no complaints from the public.

He said he plows about 10 driveways in the morning and in the evening after a major snowfall.

"My driveway is pretty small, so I didn't buy it just for my driveway. I'd be pretty lazy otherwise," Hickey said.

The City of Corner Brook has gone on damage control since the media latched on to this Good Samaritan story. The city insists Hickey can still clear the driveways along the street as long as he pushes, pulls, tows or carries the heavy-duty piece of equipment across the road.

Hickey said a kill switch prevents him from walking the blower across.

"It's kind of like a safety device, you've got to be sitting on it or else it won't run," he said.

Hickey said the warning won't keep him from driving his snowblower from house-to-house in the event of another snowfall.

"I did yesterday," he said.

Hickey said he has received an "amazing" amount of encouragement from the wider community.

"People are phoning, people are coming by my house, driving by, saying 'Keep up the good work.'"

Now, I understand bylaws are there for a reason, but come on!!!! don't the people have better things to do than fining people for doing a good deed. Is the Municipality really that low on funds this year?

He is not causing any problem and nobody is complaining. Why are they doing this instead of their job?

This is just one more example of how common sense is being tossed out the window. The role of the good samaritan is not only not valued, its becoming illegal.

here's a nice guy doing something quite decent and police gives him ticket for that? What the......???

As long as he makes himself visible (safety vest or flag)they should leave him alone.

I doubt the city could prove it is a vehicle used for recreational purposes. More likely it would be found to be snow removal equipment or a small tractor if this ticket and bylaw are challenged.

Its ALWAYS so much easier for government to pick on the little guys that can't really fight back. What a shame. I guess they would rather have seniors with back trouble or heart attacks and pay medical bills.

If they don't want him removing snow for other people, They should come remove it for them! he's not charging anyone, so it's not like he's profiting and its not a business...he's being a good samaritan, helping others out... Where's the crime in that??