Leaf Collection

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Amy Martin
Posts: 549
Joined: Tue Jun 10, 2014 9:30 am

Leaf Collection

Post by Amy Martin »

I have the pleasure of having the entire week off for Thanksgiving. Yesterday, while working in the yard, I got to witness what I would consider the worst waste of manpower that I have ever witnessed in Lakewood - the leaf collection process. I remember a few years ago watching as a large truck that had a huge vacuum hose went up and down the street to suck up the leaves that had been deposited on each tree lawn. To me, this seemed like an efficient process. What I saw yesterday astounded me. .

Two men with leaf blowers go to each tree lawn and blow the leaves into the street. Then a plow follows them and pushes the leaves into middle of the street. Then, the plow flies down the street at about 40 miles an hour and pushes all of the leaves into a big pile at the end of the block. The guys with the blowers follow the plow. Then, the garbage truck shows up and the plow lifts the leaves from the big pile into the truck. Once this is done, the street cleaner truck comes by and sweeps up what was left behind. The whole process took almost 4 hours on JUST 1 BLOCK :shock:

There were a total of 6 men doing this job. I'm not sure what each makes an hour, but to me this is an epic waste of our tax dollars. Surely the vacuum truck (which did the block in less than 45 minutes) is a much more efficient way to do this job.

Several of the neighbors were outside and we discussed this in disbelief. Each was astounded at the method that is used. One lady told me that she posted it on her facebook page because she was shocked about the process and considered it a joke. We all agreed that this is a ridiculous way to collect leaves.
Missy Limkemann
Posts: 551
Joined: Tue Jul 08, 2008 2:13 pm
Location: Lakewood
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Re: Leaf Collection

Post by Missy Limkemann »

The leaf collection on my street is horrible. They put all the leaves in front of my house and driveway so I am blocked in. ALWAYS. There are always cars parked on the street so the leaves are never really taken care of. I just sit back and watch the show. It is horrible. Just horrible
Time is precious, waste is wisely
Meg Ostrowski
Posts: 466
Joined: Sun Apr 19, 2009 10:42 am

Re: Leaf Collection

Post by Meg Ostrowski »

Amy Martin wrote:There were a total of 6 men doing this job. I'm not sure what each makes an hour, but to me this is an epic waste of our tax dollars. Surely the vacuum truck (which did the block in less than 45 minutes) is a much more efficient way to do this job.
It would be interesting to see a cost comparison between the two approaches. I suspect the vacuum trucks are expensive too. Either way, I am grateful that I don't have to bag all of my leaves.
“There could be anywhere from 1 to over 50,000 Lakewoods at any time. I’m good with any of those numbers, as long as it’s just not 2 Lakewoods.” -Stephen Davis
Dan Alaimo
Posts: 2140
Joined: Fri Apr 23, 2010 8:49 am

Re: Leaf Collection

Post by Dan Alaimo »

My issue with leaf collection, and the trash collection on holiday weeks, is the lack of communication.
Last week I decided on Wednesday that I would rake on Friday. They came on Thursday with no notice.

On the trash collection when we're supposed to put it out one day early, about half the people on my street put it out then, and the other half on the next day. The trash trucks come both days.

It would be good if they could do it electronically, but not everyone is online. Signs on both ends of the block would be the best alternative.
“Never let a good crisis go to waste." - Winston Churchill (Quote later appropriated by Rahm Emanuel)
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