This past week saw a double whammy of snow fall on Sloatsburg and the whole Lower Hudson Valley. With the village Department of Public Works pushing snow to the side of the roads, as well as NY State and Rockland County services, snow banks along road shoulders are now nearly head high.

             Photo courtesy TrendPhotos.org

If there’s one thing a snow storm leaves in its wake, beside lots of snow, it’s transportation problems and the terrible condition of roads.

With Sunday night temperatures plunging to single digits, those Monday morning Sloatsburg commuters who will work on George Washington’s 282nd birthday will find a few high hills of snow at bus stops and parking lots — the more to maneuver around.

     Sloatsburg bus stop along Rt. 17 in the center of the village.

Monday is Presidents Day, with Ramapo Central School District students off for the Presidents Week Recess. In the great northeast corridor, President Washington’s birthday probably carries more weight as he was familiar around these parts — rumor has it that Washington even stayed at the Sloats House & Inn.

The day also celebrates the birthday of Abraham Lincoln, born in mid February as well. Honest Abe would clock in today at 205 years old this year.

Pothole along Seven Lakes Drive in Sloatsburg that nearly stops cars in their tracks.

One thing is certain — while some take the day off, those commuters who gather at the Sloatsburg bus stop on Rt. 17 at the Sloatsburg Library will experience a bit of Monday morning blues. The sidewalk is packed with thick icy snow and the bus stop itself is plowed in and nearly impenetrable.

The Sloatsburg Department of Public Works has a real winter task on its hands clearing both the front sidewalk and bus stop.

Seven Lakes Drive Road Shock

As the season wears on, the road condition of Seven Lakes Drive continues to deteriorate. The giant pothole that stretches across the street is now nearly wide enough to stop a car. The responsibility of road upkeep falls to the joint effort of Rockland County and the State of New York as Seven Lakes is officially a parks road. Not to mention the game of dodge the pothole along Rt. 17 through the center of the village.

Now about that commuter lot black ice . . . .