MARQUETTE -- In the midst of Thursday's snowstorm, our Facebook viewers wanted to know, what should happen to all that snow accumulating on sidewalks?

Five-year-old Zillie Rekshan spent Thursday morning honing a skill that nearly all Yoopers have to master:  snow cleanup.

"She's learning how to use the shovel pretty nicely; we're going to work her up to the Yooper scoop here soon," says Marquette resident Bill Rekshan.

Depending on where you live in the U.P., you might see 'professionals' like Zillie out on the streets shoveling with you, or the chore might be the responsibility of your local government.

Thirteen miles of city sidewalk are cleared by municipal tractors in Marquette--that's a deal that was set up with the public schools to ensure students would have a safe route to get to school. But not all sidewalks are cleared by the city--that's just too expensive.

"We want to make sure we're promoting the city of Marquette as being a walkable city, a winter city," says Scott Cambensy, Superintendent of Marquette's Public Works Department. "But at the same time, we're trying to be budget conscious."

In Marquette, if you're not on the routes cleared by the city, you personally aren't required to clear your own sidewalks.

The question of whether residents should have to clear their sidewalks has come up at council meetings, but the topic hasn't met a resolution.

"Course you've got people that have difficulties in accomplishing that, without putting a burden on those people as well, it's a balancing act," Cambensy says.

In other parts of the U.P., like in Escanaba and Houghton, you could face a fine if you don't clear your paths in a timely matter.

Some of our Facebook viewers feel that's an appropriate incentive to get rid of an otherwise dangerous situation.

Lisa Sutinen writes, "There is barely any sidewalk to walk on during the winter months. (People) have to walk on the side of the road. Cars have little regard for people who walk."

If you live in Marquette and are not in one of the routes the city does clear, the Public Works department recommends discussing with your neighbors a way to take matters into your hands, and pick up a shovel to keep your sidewalks clean.

Other City Ordinances:

Iron Mountain

Houghton 

Munising