I'm trying to think about what to say about this column, but I'm lost for words. Something that rarely happens. It hasn't even really snowed yet.

Generally amusing.  It's the landlord's responsibility to clear the sidewalk in front of a rental property.  My lease doesn't say I have to do it, and there's no city ordinance saying that I have to do it either.  It's pretty clear.  There's no ambiguity at all.

Wow.  Someone phoned it in this morning.  I hope Mr. Lehigh isn't picking up where Mr. McGrory left off.

QA, PV: Guys, don't be so churlish. This is my annual reminder on the rules, joined with a little attempt at humor.

Harry: Thanks on the amusing. On the resonsibility: If it's not getting done, you should either call your landlord and complain or just get out there and do it yourself, if you are young and healthy. The old folks on your street will really appreciate it. We shouldn't be a city full of people who aren't willing to do anything for anyone else when it comes to something as basic as shoveling snow.

Amen.  I nearly broke my neck the other day walking my dog because the sidewalk of a neighbors house had never been shoveled and then iced over.  Maybe the city should give tickets to building owners (assuming they're not frail or elderly) who don't bother to shovel their sidewalks?

Amusing column, and yes, I understand the point of it. Luckily where I live the sidewalks are plowed under  contract. Still, with a nod towards aspirations of future curmudgeonliness, the only way I can imagine etiquette and Boston in the same sentence would be along the lines of 'etiquette doesn't exist in Boston,' or more broadly, 'New Englanders have no etiquette.' But like I said, that requires me to embrace grumpiness. Ciao, y'all. Jim.

Thank you for the reminder...given the rising global temperatures, snowy streets may become a distant memory, but when they actually do appear people need to remember to shovel! Doesn't matter if you have a landlord who's supposed to shovel and has mysteriously disappeared on you. Doesn't matter if you never use your sidewalk and only drive. Get out there and shovel!

Amusing column. However, it's not so amusing when a Boston police officer saves a space in front of his own home 12 months out of the year, either with a cone or a barrel. Similarly, it's not so amusing when the city doesn't clear its own property's sidewalks, e.g., near parks and schools. Those problems are just considered life-as-usual in East Boston.

Hockey: You ought to send the name or address where that occurs to our investigative unit ...

Wheelchair users would really appreciate it if people who do the shoveling actually shoveled wide enough for a pair of wheels to get by, and abutters are responsible for clearing curb cuts, those little ramps that go from the sidewalk to the street.   It's the law, too. And  the city departments really should shovel out their own sidewalks.  BHA is notoriously bad.

Very good point, Hondok.

I think people can call the Mayor's Hotline: 617 635-4500