Holland woman challenges city mayor | News

HOLLAND, Mich. (WZZM) -- Although she is in a wheelchair, a Holland woman took a stand against the city's sidewalk policy at Wednesday's council meeting.

Danielle Beyer says she's often trapped in her home because her sidewalks are covered with snow and ice, and she says no one is taking responsibility. 

Beyer says the trip from her house to the bus stop normally takes about five minutes,  but when it's snowy or icy, sometimes she can't make it there at all.

"If I can get there,  it takes me 30 minutes, " says Beyer.

She blames the city for not keeping its promise to clear the sidewalks.

"I cry a lot, can't get where I need, and feel like nobody wants to help [me]," says Beyer.

Beyer even challenged the Mayor to prove her point.

"I said I would sit at home for 24 hours if he takes my wheel chair out in the snow and ice," says Beyer.

Beyer says the mayor has yet to accept her challenge.  City officials say enforcement is not the answer.

"It doesn't mean if it's snowing in the morning that its going to go throughout the day, so it would be a constant enforcement situation," says Greg Robinson, Holland's interim city manager.

Beyer hopes a petition will get her message moving through the city council.  So far, she's collected 40 signatures that she planned to present to the council Wednesday night.

The city is considering cutting its sidewalk clearing program altogether because of budget issues.