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‘You can’t trust her’: Edmonton man says Mother Nature not helping snow clearing business

EDMONTON — When it comes to Mother Nature, “you can’t trust her,” according to a local man who works in the snow removal business.

While the city might be saving money on snow removal this year, people like Blair Sehested with Earth and Turf Landscaping aren’t making much.

Little snowfall means his bobcat has been sitting on his trailer more than it’s been put to use. And Sehested said last year wasn’t much better, as there were only about three big wallops of snow to clean up after.

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Kelly Oakes with the City of Edmonton’s Transportation Department said the city is on track to save $3.5 million in its $60-million snow budget this fiscal year, which runs from January to January.

The only time the city has called in extra contractors was after the dump of snow Edmonton received in mid-November, which cost the city about $3 million.

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READ MORE: Snowfall warning ended for Edmonton region

If Edmonton receives another heavy snowfall by the end of the year, there is a chance the city’s savings could be spent.

Sehested works from home so his overhead costs are low, but he’s ready to go at a moment’s notice.

Sehested worked in the oilfield for 25 years and said he got out of the business because it was a roller coaster, but so far says Mother Nature hasn’t been much more reliable.

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