Enfield Manor residents forced to dig themselves out after storms

Residents of a provincially-run manor in Enfield, Nova Scotia had to dig themselves out after back to back snowstorms last week.

After the most recent storm hit on Thursday night, Enfield Manor's parking lot and walkways were covered in snow. After a few days, it was only passable for residents like Dave Brennan.

"The walkways that you see cleared, the parking that you see cleared was not done by housing, was not done by contractors," he said. "It was done by tenants. Everybody in this building is either a senior or is disabled."

Brennan, who suffers from spinal issues, could at least move around. Residents in wheelchairs had a more difficult time.

Brennan says he and his 86-year-old co-tenant at Enfield Manor shovelled the parking lot and the walkways.

If they don't, they can forget about home care for a while.

Jim Rose relies on the Victoria Order of Nurses to come tend to his injuries and give him a shower.

"This weekend, they cancelled three or four times because they had no place to park," he said. "And they're not supposed to park on the street."

He says that leaves him without any care.

"They phone me up and tell me that they can't come," he said.

Staff with the Department of Community Services agree that the snow clearing at the manor isn't happening as quickly as it should. Officials say they're talking to their contractors about the situation and trying to hire more.

A spokesperson for the department said they apologize to residents who have experienced issues with snow clearing. They say the service standard in the snow removal contract is for the cleanup to be complete within 24 hours.

Brennan says it's too little too late.

"To me I find it a little bit ridiculous that disabled people and senior citizens of that age should have to come out and shovel a parking lot," he said.

The department sent a crew to Enfield Tuesday to finish the job.