In 2008, the City of Monroe's elected officials decided to have the police enforce an ordinance against individuals picking up items placed on the terrace for Spring Clean-Up Days. Reasons given were that people were taking Items the City sold for recycling and left messes when going through the Items on the terrace.
This enforcement led to the City having more to remove, and drove up the costs of Spring Clean-Up. Now, due to the cost, the elected officials have decided to eliminate Spring Clean-Up Days in Monroe. I object, and so do my neighbors. One suggested we get a petition, another that we call our elected officials. I thought a letter in the Times might spark some response.
Government exists to help people with community problems. The elimination of Spring Clean Up-Days will result in our community having unsightly clutter in abundance. This week, I put out a humidifier that quit working. I removed the filter and it went in the trash. I kept the rubber tank and put the metal unit out to the curb with a blue recycling bag on it so the City crews would know it was for recycling. They did not take the unit and put a tag on it - Not Recyclable. Last year, if someone had taken it from the terrace they would have been fined. Fortunately, I have a truck, and when I go to the salvage yard next time it will be recycled. Problem is, many Monroe citizens don't have trucks.
Another area of concern is the removal of tree branches. I am fortunate to have an acre lot in Monroe with many trees. Every year I have fallen branches for the Spring Clean-Up. This year, I have more than usual because of a problem last Fall. There was a large tree near the terrace, but still on my property that split during a windstorm. Fortunately, the part that fell landed in my yard. The remaining portion, however, hung over the sidewalk and street. I contacted the city street department to see if it would assist in the cost to remove the tree, since it was dangerous to the public. It refused, so we paid more than $500 to have the tree taken down before it fell on someone.
Spring Clean-Up days provides employment and a much needed service. I urge the City to revise to ordinance so that recycling and reuse of articles is encouraged and the remaining items are properly removed.
This enforcement led to the City having more to remove, and drove up the costs of Spring Clean-Up. Now, due to the cost, the elected officials have decided to eliminate Spring Clean-Up Days in Monroe. I object, and so do my neighbors. One suggested we get a petition, another that we call our elected officials. I thought a letter in the Times might spark some response.
Government exists to help people with community problems. The elimination of Spring Clean Up-Days will result in our community having unsightly clutter in abundance. This week, I put out a humidifier that quit working. I removed the filter and it went in the trash. I kept the rubber tank and put the metal unit out to the curb with a blue recycling bag on it so the City crews would know it was for recycling. They did not take the unit and put a tag on it - Not Recyclable. Last year, if someone had taken it from the terrace they would have been fined. Fortunately, I have a truck, and when I go to the salvage yard next time it will be recycled. Problem is, many Monroe citizens don't have trucks.
Another area of concern is the removal of tree branches. I am fortunate to have an acre lot in Monroe with many trees. Every year I have fallen branches for the Spring Clean-Up. This year, I have more than usual because of a problem last Fall. There was a large tree near the terrace, but still on my property that split during a windstorm. Fortunately, the part that fell landed in my yard. The remaining portion, however, hung over the sidewalk and street. I contacted the city street department to see if it would assist in the cost to remove the tree, since it was dangerous to the public. It refused, so we paid more than $500 to have the tree taken down before it fell on someone.
Spring Clean-Up days provides employment and a much needed service. I urge the City to revise to ordinance so that recycling and reuse of articles is encouraged and the remaining items are properly removed.
