PEORIA, Ill. – All things considered, an official with Peoria’s Public Works Department says things went pretty smoothly Tuesday after the city’s first measurable snowfall of the season.
Deputy Director of Operations Sie Maroon says he was a little concerned going in to Tuesday — not because of the weather, but because of the staffing situation.
“We actually have several new people on staff this year,” said Maroon. “We had an early retirement that took place earlier this year through July, and that caused us to have to bring on new people.”
Maroon says eight people retired, and seven of those positions have been filled, and that’s still lower than pre-pandemic years.
“You just never know how it’s going to go until that first snowfall hits,” said Maroon. “They get the truck, and how comfortable they are, or if they’re intimated by seeing the snow come down, and knowing they have to contain their routes.”
All in all, though, Maroon says Tuesday was a great dress rehearsal for what’s to come this season, though plow drivers were not out for what would be a typical 12-hour shift when a big snowfall hits.
He says if you do see a plow, and you’re in traffic, slow down and back off them, so they will have plenty of room to work, and you and the crews will both be safe.
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