Intro:

The winter weather is upon us and with that comes snow plowing and shoveling

The cost of plowing and shoveling hasn’t changed even with the economy.

But Spenser Etzel rode along with a snowplow to see how they and the government are helping the elderly.

Length: 01:38:16

CG:

Aubrey Baker (Owner of Baker’s Towing and Repair): 00:28:21

Spenser Etzel (TV2 Reporter): 00:39:02

William Ferrell (A Shovelman): 01:06:13

NAT: Snowplow removing snow

The winter weather is in full force this year.

With snow, comes plowing.

The Baker’s Towing and Repair has pulled out its snowplows for the winter.

They plow residential and commercial areas.

The government actually pays the plows to plow the driveways of the elderly and handicapped that way, they don’t have to.

But with the crumbling economy, they’ve had to cut back some money.

SOT(BAKER): THAT’S WHAT ALL THESE ONES WE DO ARE, HANDICAPPED OR ELDERLY PEOPLE WHO OTHERWISE COULDN’T DO IT AND COULDN’T AFFORD TO GET IT DONE.

STANDUP: WHILE THE SNOWPLOWS REMOVE A LOT OF SNOW FOR THE ELDERLY, SO DO THE SHOVELMEN. THE SHOVELMEN ARE LOCATED RIGHT HERE IN KENT. AND ABOUT 90% OF THEIR CUSTOMERS ARE AMONG THE ELDERLY.

William Ferrell, of Kent, has been shoveling snow for the past couple of years.

Prices for shoveling a driveway vary depending on the size, but it averages to about $20 a driveway.

He, much like the snowplows, also likes to help out the elderly.

SOT(Ferrell): IT IRRATES ME TO ALL GET UP WHEN YOU’RE WALKING DOWN THE SIDEWALK AND IT’S ALL NICE AND CLEAN THEN YOU GET TO THE ONE GUY WHO’S TOO LAZY OR HEAVEN FORBID, MAYBE A SENIOR CITIZEN WHO CAN’T AFFORD TO HAVE IT DONE. WE’RE MORE THAN WELCOME TO WORK WITH THEM AND GIVE THEM A DISCOUNT.

There’s not that much difference between the price of having your driveway shoveled and having it plowed.

With the winter season, just beginning, expect to see these guys around the area.

For TV2 news, I’m Spenser Etzel.

Tag: If you would like a list of snow removal services, visit WWW DOT KENT OHIO DOT ORG SLASH DEP SLASH PLC DOT PDF.