Every year it’s the same thing. Snow falls and doesn’t get shoveled. Sidewalks ice over, and people are endangered merely by walking from place to place.

If you happen to be in downtown Lewiston, take a moment to stand on the corner of Park and Ash streets and look down Park toward Victor News. Notice the shoveled sidewalks in front of each commercially owned establishment. Then notice the caked-on ice encrusting the brick walkway that runs the entire length of the government-owned traffic court building.

It’s a chilling comparison.

What does an iced-over sidewalk say about government?

It says government doesn’t care for the safety of its citizens. It doesn’t care about the safety of its employees who have to skate to the front door.

That may be a bit harsh because the people who work in government certainly do care about their fellow citizens, but ignoring basic safe passage to and from a building reflects an uncaring government.

Shoveling sidewalks is a pain. It’s back-breaking work. And it’s the legal responsibility of the building owner along the length of each sidewalk.

So get out those shovels.