Gratiot Avenue at three in the morning is a long empty ribbon under orange light, and that is the hour Ameriscape Outdoor Services LLC is already moving through Mount Clemens. Clipper snow comes down out of Canada dry and quick, filling a parking lot back in almost as fast as the blade can push it, so this work is patience as much as horsepower. Plow the open ground, hand-shovel the entries and steps a truck can never reach, lay salt, then circle and do it once more. The whole point arrives at eight o'clock: a lot squared off at the curb lines, doors clear, nobody's morning bent around the weather. Mount Clemens wakes up to it, and so do Clinton Township, Harrison Township and Roseville.