Elmira sidewalks in a February thaw are their own hazard: soft at noon, solid and slick by five, and a whole block's footing decided by whoever showed up with a shovel. Turd Alert takes winter seriously in spite of the name, plowing drives, clearing walks and laying salt across the city's neighborhood streets. Refreeze is the real trouble in the Chemung Valley — the melt runs, finds the low spot in the walk, and sets up hard after dark. Scrape it down to the surface and it cannot come back the same way. Funny name, cleared driveway; both are welcome in January.