TV2: Residents have mixed opinions about Kent’s free salt program

Mike Holden

KentWired Video

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It’s officially the second snowfall of the winter season in Kent, and it’’s bound to be frightful.

So, the city of Kent is hoping to alleviate the winter carnage with a new program that will keep walkways clear.

Kent city officials stepped up to the plate and created a new program that gives free salt to residents and makes it available for them 24-hours-a-day, seven-days-a-week.

Public Service Director Gene Roberts was unavailable for comment at the time of the story, but, according to a recent interview with Ohio.com, Roberts says “Residential properties are doing an above average job, and I think it’s in part because of those city programs.””

But Kent residents have mixed reviews on the new initiative for free salt, with some even calling it a waste of money.

Karl Guckerberger, a resident of East Oak Street, doesn’t think the program will have much impact for city residents.

“If you can get someone to shovel their sidewalk it’s a good thing, but I don’t think it will make much of a difference,” says Guckenberger.

Caitlin Radecki, a Kent State senior fashion merchandising major, thinks the city needs to focus more on the roadways than the sidewalks.

“Ok, you’re giving away free salt…. Great. So, I don’t fall? Because you should probably salt your roads because they suck,” says Radecki.”

Despite the mixed reviews, Public Service Director Roberts wants to assure that the program is just an experiment and if it works out they will keep doing it.

If you’re interested in picking up free salt for your driveway and sidewalk, you can head over to the Yard Waste Building at the entrance to Plum Creek Park at Cherry Street and Mogadore Road.

Contact Mike Holden at [email protected].