The Daily Dispatch

If one word could sum up snow removal in the past few weeks, it might be "tough." And that would be an understatement.

"We don't get much of a break," said Breckenridge public works foreman Mike Dohman. "Usually, you have a week in-between that gives you a chance to get caught up and do a few repairs. But the way it's working now, we don't have a chance to get caught up at all."

Three trucks, payloaders, a one ton and a motor grader clean the city streets, typically a three-and-a-half hour process. But the heavy snowfall has forced them to borrow the county's snow blower to help.

Lately, Dohman has also used several city employees to finish up the job. Breckenridge Chief of Police Steve Rensvold, Public Works Director Jeff Muehler and Interim City Clerk Bev Wilson have been among those who have volunteered their time.

"I think we're fortunate, being in a smaller community, where some of the city employees are willing to do that," said Dohman. "I guess I can't imagine that you'd have a city clerk in a bigger town that would volunteer to do those things."

The act of kindness may also offer city officials a keen insight on the job, particularly with the general public.

"It's not just moving snow," said Dohman. "It's traffic and people and complaints, things of that nature."

Complaints usually stem from things Dohman and his men can't control, such as the wind creating huge drifts on property or people wanting their driveway blown clean.

"We can't clean your driveway, if we did that, we'd be cleaning 500 of them," he said.

Dohman did express concern over the budget cuts that have ravaged the state of Minnesota. As a longtime employee of the City of Breckenridge, he said he's made it clear to officials that he's not very "hip" to changing the way things are done here.

"I think citizens expect the street is going to be clear, and that they can get to work," he said. "I sure hope we can continue to provide that service without cutting employees."

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