Joplin's Road Crews

Time to rant.  I am not much of a complainer or someone that goes on long tangents about things.  I try not to get worked about too many things.  But considering I have nothing else to write about I am going to master the art of ranting this semester. Starting NOW!

This is the second snow storm I have witnessed this semester in Joplin.  My freshman and sophomore year I lived on campus so snow storms never really fazed me.  I never left campus so I did not get to experience what the roads were like.  I would just walk to the cafeteria and back to the dorms.  I would be snowed in at the dorms along with almost two hundred other people in East hall.  I never had to worry about driving out to see anybody. 

This year I live off campus.  When I heard the storm was coming I decided to head to the dorms to get snowed in there.  The thought of being snowed in was much more fun than actually being “snowed” in.  I thought I would be stuck there Monday and Tuesday night and that by Wednesday they would have the roads cleared up and driving would not be as treacherous.  Boy was I wrong. 

I am not underestimating the snow storm at all.  It was definitely a lot of snow and ice and for the first 24 hours it was probably very important that no one drove in the weather.  I do feel as though Joplin is not the best at preparing the roads before the storm hits or cleaning them up very well after all is said and done. 

I finally left the dorms when I road over to my friend’s in a truck off of 7^th street Thursday night.  I immediately noticed that the roads were still in poor condition.  There was compacted snow on every road we drove on, including range line.  This would NEVER happen in St. Louis. (Where I am from) I called my Mom Wednesday as she was on her way to work.  I asked her how the roads were there. (Mind you they received almost 6 inches more snow than Joplin). She explained that she could see the pavement on every major road in our town and that the roads were not bad at all.  Every snow storm I have experienced in St. Louis the road crews have had the roads back up and safe to travel on within 24 hours.

 As we reach the third day since the snow storm the fact that the roads are still not the safest for a small sports car like mine I am not impressed with Joplin.  Ha Ha.  I am not complaining or necessarily even going on a long rant, more just comparing good ole STL with Joplin. 

I really have no room to complain because I have loved every second of these snow days and once again am happy to have non-traditional students that attend Missouri Southern.  So bring on the snow and forget about STL’s road crew.  I’ll take the snow days!