MOUNT VERNON – With spring fully underway, most people have banished thoughts of icy sidewalks, at least until next winter.

But a plan is in place to ensure the sidewalks of downtown Mount Vernon continue to be safe when it comes to snow.

The Main Street Mount Vernon Design Committee is renewing its snow removal contract with the Ariel Foundation. Although this plan has been in place for several years, the recent icy winter put a spotlight on the necessity of keeping walkways safe.

While there is a solid partnership between Main Street Mount Vernon and the Ariel Foundation in sidewalk snow removal, a third part is necessary to cover the actual hands-on clearing of the snow. That's where longtime contractor Tru-Cut Landscaping comes in.

In a press release, Anthony McNeal, Main Street Mount Vernon's downtown manager, lauded merchants' efforts at keeping their storefront walkways clear.

"But when snow builds up after hours, Andrew Durbin and the team at Tru-Cut enhance the walkability of downtown by providing a cleared path," McNeal said.

Heavy winters like those experienced in north-central Ohio require special measures for safety. These weather conditions kept Tru-Cut Landscaping's crew especially busy this season.

"(The team) had many early mornings of clearing sidewalks lining South Main Street from Wright Center at 400 South Main St. up to the Mount Vernon Grand Hotel before 9 a.m.," McNeal noted.

Having paths cleared by 9 a.m. goes a long way toward giving commuters and shoppers easy access to their destinations.

"The Main Street Mount Vernon Board of Directors would like to send our appreciation to Ariel Foundation and the entire Tru-Cut Landscaping team," the press release stated.

Visit mainstreetmountvernon.com to learn about happenings in downtown Mount Vernon.