What's Happening in Dublin, OH…

Although the day was sunny with temperatures above 80°F, Dublin employees spent Monday, September 28 preparing for winter.

On the day, the city held “snow school” for all employees who will be dealing with removal of ice and snow during the upcoming winter.

The day began with classroom work, followed by practical exercises in which snow plow drivers actually took the plows out for practice runs. The classes were required before the drivers could operate the equipment.

The so-called “rode-eo” put drivers through their paces on a course that included backing, maneuvering, and knowing exactly where the blades of the snowplow are going.

Rob James, who is the director of street and utility operations for Dublin, said the idea was to let the drivers practice any sort of maneuver they might be required to make once they actually have to operate the plows. He added that barrels and cones were set up to copy the streets and courts that plows have to navigate, and obstacles they have to deal with, such as mailboxes.

Drivers also had a chance to run one of the city's 22 snow routes. They were able to use the clear weather to look for mailbox locations, downed branches, manholes, and any other obstacles that could become problems when covered by snow.

Dublin officials might consider working with a newsletter printing company to create a letter for residents explaining the situation.