That little known 3rd category in municipal snow removal: Squandered campaign monetization.

Photographs from Friday, March 6.

On February 24, the newspaper helpfully explained a nagging concern. Reporter Suddeath visited the Bored of Works, where El Presidente Siestas went on the record in asking Street Commissioner Mickey Thompson to "define the city’s responsibilities, as snow and ice remained on many New Albany sidewalks as a result of last week’s wintry weather paired with frigid temperatures."

Almost as if he knew the question was coming (but how?), Thompson provided the answer.

New Albany official: Cleaning sidewalks not our responsibility

 ... When it comes to sidewalks, by city ordinance, the responsibility lies with business owners and residents ... “The city doesn’t take care of any sidewalks,” Thompson said, as he added that responsibility falls to those who own property or reside adjacent to the walking paths.

But if the city itself owns Bicentennial Park, and the sidewalks too, and the sidewalks are adjacent to the city-owned property, then ...

This is Pearl Street. And in Louisville ...

I mean, am I the only one seeing the missed opportunity here?

Let me spell it out.

City Hall uses public money to hire private contractors to do what the street department isn't staffed to do. Contractors clean sidewalks like the ones pictured here, then shake down business owners for a bit on the side, with their bait being that they're "approved" contractors -- hint hint, nudge nudge.

Parched beaks on the Third Floor are promptly wetted. A couple of nice "snow events" and hey -- the revenue stream might be enough to buy another precinct committeeman.