OPINION | Barry Richard: It’s Winter In NE People, GUTS UP

OMG! The temperature is crawling above the freezing mark and the ice on the streets that has tormented so many folks over the last number of days is finally beginning to melt.

I have never heard so many grown people crying and moaning like a bunch of little babies in all my life. You would think that the "bomb cyclone" had exploded on them and them alone. Are you people truly New Englanders or were you bused in from some alternate universe just to make the rest of us miserable with your incessant complaining? Let me tell you, the only thing worse than crummy winter weather conditions is listening to people bellyaching about the crummy winter weather conditions.

Grow up and deal with it.

Since this all began, I have heard allegations of politicians pocketing money intended for snow removal. One Facebook poster even has first-hand knowledge that the police and tow truck operators share kickbacks while determining which cars are towed and which are not during the parking ban. "It's common knowledge," I am told. Still, others claim laziness and ineptness on the part of plow operators are responsible for all of the ice out there.

One man suggested that if Lakeville and Middleborough have bare streets there is no reason why New Bedford shouldn't be down to the tar.If only these fools with plows knew how to use them we wouldn't be in this mess.Truth be told, Lakeville and Middleborough did not have nearly two inches of rain and a flash freeze, a blizzard and several consecutive days in which the mercury couldn't find 20 degrees.They got all snow, which is easy enough to remove.

As of this writing, huge patches of ice still remain on Routes 6, 140 and 195 as well. All state maintained roadways.

Driving conditions in and around New Bedford have been horrendous for several days. I know this hurts, but it is nobody's fault. So, suck it up little buttercups and get back to work. Spring is right around the corner.

How many days until pitchers and catchers report?

Editor's Note: Barry Richard is the afternoon host on 1420 WBSM New Bedford. He can be heard weekdays from Noon-3pm. The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of the author.