After a successful program last fall to clean up the city, which brought in more than 1.1 million pounds of trash and junk, the city needs some serious help again.
Maybe it’s the result of a hard winter, or maybe people are getting lazy, but look around. There’s trash everywhere, and it’s getting worse. On a particular block of a street near the university, the curb is lined with litter — plastic bottles, fast food wrappers, pop cans — and the same is true in many neighborhoods across the community.
On a recent windy day, trash (along with a lot of the sand that remains on the streets) could be seen blowing up the street in almost every part of town. Pulling off the Interstate at the Industrial Road exit, the amount of trash next to the road is an eyesore and an embarrassment.
Have we so little concern for our community that we are willing to put up with this?
With spring coming on, now would be a good time for us to start getting out and cleaning up our city. If you are a homeowner or a business owner and you notice trash that has been thrown out or has blown onto your property or is in the street nearby, take a few minutes to pick it up. Just to get out of the house on a nice evening, how about we head to the park or take a long walk, and carry a trash bag with us? With a concerted effort, we can have Emporia looking as it should — a community that cares about its image.
Let’s have a little pride in our city.
slimbolen99 (anonymous) says...
We need to teach these college students that if they are going to live in our town and go to our college, they are to pick up after themselves. Maybe for every out of town DUI / MIP, the court assigns them to 40 hours of community service picking up trash around town.
I used to live a few blocks from the campus. Apartments were totally trashed, houses trashed, trash on the street, in the yards, etc. This is a good article.
March 9, 2010 at 11:26 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
reality (anonymous) says...
The college kids aren't the whole problem. There are plenty of parts of town that are trashed. Start forcing people to clean up all the crap in their yards.
March 9, 2010 at 11:48 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
seriouslyfolks (anonymous) says...
When I was stationed in Germany I saw something I had never seen before, people out in front of their houses sweeping the street and sidewalks. I thought that it was a strange but good idea. Now I sweep the street in front of my house after I mow because, of course, grass clippings blow into the street. My neighbors give me strange looks as they blow their grass clippings out of their yard and into the street. They are no doubt waiting for our city government to come around with the street cleaner truck and clean it up for them. Meanwhile their grass clippings either blow all over the place or sit and turn brown in the street. At least the street in front of my modest little home looks decent.
Another part of the problem could be the trash cans and people not using them properly. When we first got them we were told to make sure that all trash in them was bagged. I thought to myself "Why?" until I saw them dumped for the first time and realized that with Kansas winds any unbagged trash could easily blow out when the arm of the truck dumps the cans.
It's interesting how the more our government does for us the less we seem to do for ourselves. Germany is a pretty socialistic country but it's citizens still have pride and a sense of community that motivates them to pitch in. We on the other hand don't. Our government seems to be moving in a direction very similar to Germany's and I just don't see it working here. Their citizens have an attitude that we just don't have and our attitude will bankrupt a system like that.
Sorry for rambling ..............
March 9, 2010 at 12:10 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
kinglyon (anonymous) says...
What happened to "Give a Hoot, Don't Pollute". Maybe if every fast food container purchased with a debit card was stamped with an ID number, it wouldn't get tossed out of a car window so quickly.
March 9, 2010 at 1:08 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
neighbor (anonymous) says...
It's not just in Emporia, it's a country wide problem. It's not any one sector of the public either. I live out in the county, I can fill a large trash bag full out of our road ditches every week. There's always; beer/soft drink cans cups and bottles, fast food sacks, feed and grain sacks, baling wire/twine, Walmart and grocery plastic bags, diapers, oil cans, cds, empty cigarette packages, a little something from everyone. I keep the road ditch mowed and as trash free as possible in front of our place, it's a full time job because there are so many dirt bag could care less people in our society today. I truly believe if I stopped maintaining the ditches along my property, 90% of the trash would stop being thrown out because it would no longer look nice out there, the slobs wouldn't have a target anymore.
March 9, 2010 at 1:52 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
madpoet (anonymous) says...
People have no respect for others. If they did they wouldn't litter. I live in the county and it's a constant battle to keep trash picked up that gets thrown out of passing cars. And we're not on a major road, either. Put a bag in your car and dump your trash when you get home, for heaven's sake! That's what we do, it's not hard.
March 9, 2010 at 1:58 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
There used to be a city street sweeper out very early, every Friday morning downtown. And you would see it all over town at other times of the week. Is it out of service? Part of the cities cut-backs?
March 9, 2010 at 2:09 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
mslater (Matt Slater) says...
I think this week's rain will clear out a lot of it.
March 9, 2010 at 2:21 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
I've often wondered the same thing, Steve. I don't see the street sweeper out anymore, and all the stuff they use to treat icy streets is now all over at the base of the curbs.
Yes, this is a timely article because Emporia is looking downright shabby,not just downtown, but all over the city. I live on a corner lot and get tons of trash thrown onto my property. It's disgusting. I'd like to catch the culprits.
The last time I mentioned Emporia's shabby appearance, several posters jumped down my throat for being uppity. I'm glad to see I'm no longer alone in my opinion.
March 9, 2010 at 2:29 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
eucharistandcannabis (anonymous) says...
Yes, indeed. Try recycling and composting.
Every residence/commerical building in most major cities across the US have three bins for waste management to pick up; 1.) recycling, 2.) compost, and 3.) trash. Interesting, the actual trash bin is the smallest of the three.
(This also means every home/business has three smaller waste bins indoors, for the same purpose.)
The City of Emporia can make a profit from the recycling, resuse the compost, and the space/energy needed to collect the actual "trash" can be minimalized.
On a sidenote, this is a perfect example how concern for the environment and climate change can be harnessed to benefit the community ecologically and economically.
March 9, 2010 at 3:06 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
vankamp (anonymous) says...
I know that other towns have an adopt a highway program where businesses or groups will clean up a certain section of the highway between milemarkers. Does Emporia have such a program? I think everyone should pick up their own trash but it is not happening, so I thought maybe something like this would work here. Just a thought
March 9, 2010 at 3:25 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sail (anonymous) says...
I agree, city looks like a big trash can turned over! Why not put a 1000.00 FINE for first time offender,if the dirtball has no money give him or her 100 hours of community service picking up trash.
March 9, 2010 at 5:33 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
seriouslyfolks (anonymous) says...
eucharistandcannabis,
That's a good idea. Since we started recycling our trash is very minimal. It would be very nice if they could come pick up the recycling .
The city used to pick up compost but they stopped doing it because our government isn't good with things like money and they needed that money for something that made less sense.
March 9, 2010 at 5:36 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
booker5m (anonymous) says...
High school kids throw trash out of their cars on my street. Must be trying to get the getto look
March 9, 2010 at 6:46 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
shotdemducks (anonymous) says...
If you think the city is bad think about the country. Take a drive on our "UNGRAVEL" roads and look in the ditches and field edges. These idiots bother me most. Lets see I will waste $5.00 in gas going 2.5 miles out in the country to dump my trash, because I dont want to Pay $2.00 in gas, drive four blocks and pay $6.00 to dump my junk where it belongs.
March 9, 2010 at 7:14 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
bingo (anonymous) says...
Whenever I think about littering even a gum wrapper, I ask myself, "What if everyone does that?"
Just ONE thing and the country is a littered mess. I stick it in my purse or pocket and wait to empty to a trash can.
March 9, 2010 at 7:37 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Pinkpintopony (anonymous) says...
Green Door Recycling here in Emporia will come and pick up your recycling for 15.00 a month. There is minimal sorting and I think they do a great job!
March 9, 2010 at 9:15 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
coif (anonymous) says...
Yard and garage sale signs that are left up after the sale is over looks trashy. I guess people do not feel they should clean them up after they are done with thier sale. It would be easy to give these people a fine for littering you have the address.
March 10, 2010 at 7:08 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
noel_stanton (anonymous) says...
Seriously,
Sorry to cast a shadow on your evidently fond memories of Germany but the facts are that most communities have regulations placing the responsibility on the building owner for keeping the streets and walks along the full length of the property swept and picked up ((he can in turn assign these duties to his tenants). Thus, if your lot fronts 30 meters on the street, then you are responsible for all 30 meters. If the lot has a multi-occupant use, then the occupants rotate the sweeping and cleaning duties, usually every Saturday. The duty roster is posted in view of everyone, usually in the main entry. The assignments are worked out in house meetings. Exceptions are given those who are handicapped, too old or similar. People can informally switch dates with a neighbor or hire a student to do the work.
There are several advantages: the city saves on cleaning costs, the people take pride in their building and street and, if someone doesn't do his/her job, the group pressure can be heavy or a complaint can be filed with the city. If the city sends municipal workers to clean up, all the resulting costs are billed to the property and, then prorated as additional rental costs. The cities don’t hesitate about sending workers: Germans despise “Unordnung,” disorderliness.
A system like this would probably never be possible in Emporia because most persons would be screaming "big government socialism," as you rightly noted. Germany is very densely populated (almost 30 times more people than Kansas in an area only 67% bigger than Kansas) and the practices and customs are highly intelligent and useful for a society of such density. The Germans understand the pressing necessity of regulating many aspects of their communal life. Kansans don't feel that regulations are necessary because Kansans feel they can always move on, leaving their current mess behind, and find open space and fewer persons to impinge on what they think are their "freedoms."
March 10, 2010 at 4:58 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
noel_stanton (anonymous) says...
Forgot to sign the above,
Noel Stanton
Moerlenbach, Germany
March 10, 2010 at 5:02 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
Good information, noel_stanton. When I first read seriously's comment, I thought about how wonderful it would be to see people out every day sweeping their own sidewalks around here. It's a very good practice whether or not it is driven by an ordinance.
But yes, you're right. Such an ordinance wouldn't work around here because people would complain bitterly and if they are fined, they would take it to the city much like they do with property tax appraisals.
One of those constant junk sales goes on in my neighborhood and all the complaints in the world have not stopped these people. They've been fined too. It makes no difference to them.
March 11, 2010 at 7:39 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
mslater (Matt Slater) says...
Avatars! Sweet!
March 11, 2010 at 8:15 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
mslater (Matt Slater) says...
For those who don't know, to put a picture (avatar) with your profile, up at the top, click on "profile," then "edit your profile," then "choose file."
You can then select a picture on your computer to use as your profile pic.
This should be interesting...
Matt
March 11, 2010 at 8:20 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
Here you go. This woman, a suffragette, was the daughter of the congressman who cast the deciding vote in Congress giving women the right to vote.
March 11, 2010 at 9:18 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
oh4theluvof (anonymous) says...
seriouslyfolks:
I have noticed a lot of people blowing and sweeping their lawn clippings into the street too, but also a lot of leaves. I grew up seeing my grandfather sweep his clippings up because to sweep them into the streets meant they would blow and wash into the storm drains and clog those up, costing the city unnecessarily. Leaves would be even worse.
This winter, I noticed several people throwing ice and snow into the streets while shoveling their walks and driveways. I wondered if they realized that they were making the roadways more dangerous, wasting water for their lawns and over-using the sewer system all in one fell swoop.
I think we need some education in this town about how good citizens care for both their own and public property, above and beyond not just littering.
March 11, 2010 at 4:34 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
methusla (anonymous) says...
Do you believe it is O.K. for the City to plow or grade the snow onto the sides of the street, blocking peoples driveways in the process ?
I mean, whats good for the goose, must surely be good for the gander .
Educating, goes both ways.
March 11, 2010 at 4:45 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
oh4theluvof (anonymous) says...
methusla,
I don't like that they do that, but I don't really see how they can do it any other way with plows. At least on those streets, they are plowing at all. The only other options I see are:
1. front-loaders and dump trucks running for absolute removal
2. not doing anything at all
Maybe I just have never seen a proper plowing job and they can do it quickly and without tons of extra expense. All I know is that I cleared my own street gutters (including the frozen leaves that had never been raked up by neighbors or swept up by the sweeper after they blew into the street)and parts of the street so melting and run-off could be accelerated, and threw it all up onto the grass. My 89 year old neighbor said that what I do used to be standard practice of many of the neighborhood residents. I actually kind of like the idea of the ordinances that Noel was talking about in Germany...they seemed reasonable. We have a few here in Emporia, like the shoveling of the sidewalks and the sidewalk cement maintenance ones, but they are ill-enforced because many citizens believe that they are somehow unfair.
March 11, 2010 at 6:01 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
biscuitboy (anonymous) says...
noel
Good information on Germany....but I agree that it would never work here.
"That damned socialistic government is not going to tell me what to do.....if they want the trash picked up let them do it....and don't try to raise my taxes to pay for it either..." That's what they would all be screaming.
March 12, 2010 at 6:13 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
biscuitboy (anonymous) says...
oh4theluvof
You are exactly right. The snow removal ordinance is a case in point. Everybody wants snow removed...but not by them. And they also don't want to have to pay that damned government for it either.
I think the best thing government should do is nothing at all.....cut their taxes and shut down. Then we can listen to the crying and complaining for certain when that happens and they are left on their own.
March 12, 2010 at 6:18 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
mslater (Matt Slater) says...
I think what started the whole ordeal on shoveling sidewalks was the fact the city wanted the sidewalks shoveled when they couldn't get the roads cleared.
Our sidewalk was the only one shoveled for two blocks, but it was shoveled! Then the (expletive) shovel (expletive) broke. Then it (expletive) snowed (expletive) again.
March 12, 2010 at 6:32 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
oh4theluvof (anonymous) says...
LoL!! Pooor Matt!! ☺
The thing about the ordinances in Germany is that I don't see them as socialistic. In socialism, the people rely on the government to handle everything and just turn their money over toward that end. In Germany (in this respect), the government is the secondary worker (they only do it if the citizen doesn't), and bills the costs back, placing responsibility back onto the citizen in the end. I see our system of paying taxes and then expecting the city to just take care of us as the more socialistic of the two. As a government that is supposed to be of the people, by the people, I think it's reasonable to have ordinances, made by the people, put in place to unify our community and fluidly continue that legacy.
JMO
March 12, 2010 at 10:54 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
One_Voice (anonymous) says...
I agree with another poster on this, shut down the city AND the county, let homeowners and landowners be responsible for themselves, then when NOTHING gets done, people on these fourms will have no one to blame but themselves. maybe some on here should watch this video!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jXeCAe...
March 12, 2010 at 1:26 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
seriouslyfolks (anonymous) says...
Why is it that when people complain about the government in any way there are people who say "Why don't we just shut down the government. Then you'll see everything they do is necessary!(wagging fist at computer screen with an air of superiority)"? Well lets suppose that we all just sat back and never questioned the government and never expected them to get better at what they do before adding to their work load that they obviously can't handle now. Do you think that, left alone, they would improve? I think not. In fact I think it's our job, no, our duty as citizens to tell them when they error.
Seriously flash fork rubber dump truck Folks
March 12, 2010 at 7:45 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
KelseyLutz (anonymous) says...
College kids aren't the only problem... Many of the apartments and rental properties they live in are not taken care of properly. Many of my friends live in houses where the landlord "dumps" random things that they don't want onto the premisses of the property, probably so they don't have to look at it in their own front yard. Emporia needs stricter city codes that are properly enforced- this should include harsher penalties for "slumlords". I know in the summer when the grass gets too long in front of someone's house, the city issues a citation that they must cut the grass down by "x" date before they are fined. Other citations like this would help to cut down on all the "junk" people keep on their porches and in their yards. When ever I take one of my friends from my hometown up to Emporia where I currently go to school, they are surprised at all the junk people keep in their yards that no longer functions or serves no purpose; cars that no longer run, broken washing machines, general clutter. If a citation was issued that went something to the tune of "you have to pay "x" amount of dollars for every day that the broken down vehicle remains on the property after so long", I believe many would be compelled to actually take responsibility for their actions and maybe even keep their yard cleaned up!
March 12, 2010 at 8:20 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
mslater (Matt Slater) says...
Another thing about Germany, you never hear of them having the huge forest fires like we do in the states. Why? Because they organize whole towns and go out and clean up all the crap in their forests, and turn the whole event into a town-wide festival. The event is called a volks march, I believe.
Them: Want to go clean up all the fallen branches and other junk in the forest?
You: No, I'm really busy, and I already have pl...
Them: Free Beer
You: Well why didn't you say so! When do we start?
March 12, 2010 at 8:25 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
Unfortunately, many of our forest fires in this country have been caused by arson, but I'm still for whole-town cleaning up parties.
I just wish it wasn't always the same people who do the cleaning up and so many who don't care one bit. We seem to have a shortage of pride.
On every Marine base I've ever lived on, the street cleaning was done by brig rats with a nearby chaser -- armed.
March 13, 2010 at 7:47 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
mellen (anonymous) says...
Dirty streets with cars and trucks splashing mud everywhere
Old furniture on lawns covered with rotting leaves
Neglected planting beds filled with lifeless stems and weeds
Trash strewn along fence lines and along the roadside.
Quaint little city yearning for a bath
Unhappy citizens forced to observe wastelands
Everyone sees the results of winter
Someone should do something about the mess
Taxes have bought and paid for the tools
I shouldn't be forced to stoop to remove trash dropped by a stranger
Open the car door and kick the waste out as you drive by
No one will see until we are gone and tomorrow brings new light
Good people are working on the solution
Our needs will be met our demands will be redressed
Very soon street sweepers will be working overtime
Elite neighborhoods will get attention first
Restless business districts will be second
Next will be the main thoroughfares and public attractions
Maybe some of the residential streets will get their turn
Elite neighborhoods will get additional sweepings
Northwest town will brought up to standards
Tickets for everyone else who has dirty curbs.
March 13, 2010 at 1:05 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
methusla (anonymous) says...
akamai
Yes, if you make improvements to your house and property, your taxes will increase. Because the City/County will come by and re-appraise your house/property and the improvements you make will raise the appraised value of your/home property, thereby increasing the amount of property tax you will have to pay.
However, the City/County may raise your home/property taxes anytime they may see fit to do so. So, you see you really don' t have to make improvements to your home/property to have your home/property taxes increased .
And the bad thing about all of this is, once your taxes are raised, very seldom does the amount of taxes you pay decrease.
March 13, 2010 at 9:31 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )