Spring Clean-Up Days is one of the greatest services provided by the City of Monroe. For free, or a small charge for certain items, the city comes to your curb and picks up large and small household items you wish to dispose of but can't include in regular garbage pick-up. It's a convenient and inexpensive way for homeowners to get rid of unwanted stuff.
This year's Spring Clean-Up Days begin April 28 for residents north of and including 13th Street, and the week of May 5 for those living south of 13th Street. It's a nice service city residents should appreciate.
But, of course, it is not without its controversy.
Some people like to drive around the streets of Monroe and pick through items left on the curb but not yet picked up by the city. One man's trash is another man's treasure, as the saying goes. Some people collect items to donate to charities. Others do it for their own benefit or enjoyment, but say it's better to have the items be used than to take up landfill space. They make a good point.
The problem is that in Monroe, it is against city code for anyone but the city clean-up crew to pick up or remove items that have been placed on the terrace between the sidewalk and the street.
According to city ordinance, once items are placed on the terrace for pick-up, these items are considered "abandoned" and become the property of the city.
Anyone removing items from the terrace is subject to a citation and a hefty fine.
There is a valid reason for the law. Some people, when rummaging through others' garbage, leave a mess behind and make it harder and more time-consuming for city workers to clean up.
But surely there is a way city leaders can accommodate all interests and concerns. Unfortunately, another Spring Clean-Up Days has arrived without city government discussing those remedies. We'll reiterate our call for aldermen to clear up this controversy before the next clean-up.
Police Chief Fred Kelley in a news release discussed one solution. He said people who are willing to haul away others' unwanted items can publish their intention - presumably in the newspaper or in newsletters or church bulletins, etc., - and can be contacted to pick through items before they are placed on the curb. This is a helpful solution, but still cumbersome.
Perhaps there is a way people who wish to pick up garbage can register with the city. Or people who wish to allow their garbage to be picked through can register with the city, and an indicator flag can be staked in the ground next to the pile. Property owners would have to be responsible for keeping the pile orderly for city crews to pick up.
These are just some potential solutions to a controversy that is unnecessary and unproductive.
This year's Spring Clean-Up Days begin April 28 for residents north of and including 13th Street, and the week of May 5 for those living south of 13th Street. It's a nice service city residents should appreciate.
But, of course, it is not without its controversy.
Some people like to drive around the streets of Monroe and pick through items left on the curb but not yet picked up by the city. One man's trash is another man's treasure, as the saying goes. Some people collect items to donate to charities. Others do it for their own benefit or enjoyment, but say it's better to have the items be used than to take up landfill space. They make a good point.
The problem is that in Monroe, it is against city code for anyone but the city clean-up crew to pick up or remove items that have been placed on the terrace between the sidewalk and the street.
According to city ordinance, once items are placed on the terrace for pick-up, these items are considered "abandoned" and become the property of the city.
Anyone removing items from the terrace is subject to a citation and a hefty fine.
There is a valid reason for the law. Some people, when rummaging through others' garbage, leave a mess behind and make it harder and more time-consuming for city workers to clean up.
But surely there is a way city leaders can accommodate all interests and concerns. Unfortunately, another Spring Clean-Up Days has arrived without city government discussing those remedies. We'll reiterate our call for aldermen to clear up this controversy before the next clean-up.
Police Chief Fred Kelley in a news release discussed one solution. He said people who are willing to haul away others' unwanted items can publish their intention - presumably in the newspaper or in newsletters or church bulletins, etc., - and can be contacted to pick through items before they are placed on the curb. This is a helpful solution, but still cumbersome.
Perhaps there is a way people who wish to pick up garbage can register with the city. Or people who wish to allow their garbage to be picked through can register with the city, and an indicator flag can be staked in the ground next to the pile. Property owners would have to be responsible for keeping the pile orderly for city crews to pick up.
These are just some potential solutions to a controversy that is unnecessary and unproductive.
