Lakewood: Trash

[jackie f taylor]

Sorry..

[todd vainisi]

Lori (and please feel free to call me Todd, I don't address anyone here formally as this is not a formal environment nor we do not have a formal business relationship nor are either of us in a position of power over the other),

I said many properties, not most, and I consider my immediate neighborhood within half a mile of my house, the area I walk my dogs through regularly. I generally walk towards the trash cans because, well I won't say why but I'm sure you can guess. So there were more than two that I felt I knew the trash schedule for.

You will have to accept this scrutiny and pushback on this endevour you have undertaken. You are documenting problems you see around the city and that opens you up to criticism and inquiry about your methods and findings. Don't title the video 2/14 if the shots aren't from 2/14. Although youtube timestamps when you published the video, it's not youtube that adds the dates to the title, it's you.

You put out a tremendous amount of criticism and opinions about how people do their jobs, as is your right - I'm sure you'll understand if people take issue/critique your actions as well. I demand a change in your process, haha.

[Dan Alaimo]

I've always been a little skeptical about Lori's "Trash" project. It seems a little too random and scattershot to convince me that there is a widespread problem, especially since I live in a neighborhood where it is not a problem and the occasional early set-out or late bring-in of trash bins is easily overlooked, as I hope others will let me slide on the rare occasions when I have to transgress.

I'd like to see more evidence of repeated willfulness by residents and of targeted disregard by the city.

[Stan Austin]

Dan Alaimo said

when I have to transgress

just use the correct bathroom

[Dan Alaimo]

Dan Alaimo said

when I have to transgress

just use the correct bathroom

oops....

[Lori Allen _]

The end of the month always brings the "move-outs". You know, where people throw the entire contents of their house out on the tree lawn when they are evicted, regardless of what day it is.



The reason for this is not bad workers. It is the mayor and our city council not giving our service department working vehicles and equipment or enough manpower. For example:

1. On average, between one and three trash collection trucks break down every day. The breakdowns range from leaking hydraulic fluid, flat tires, broken packer blades, broken packer pins, etc.
2. Also, the automated arms rarely pick anything up when it is below 40 degrees. This should not be happening. Is this old age or a manufacturer's defect?
3. I believe City Hall recently had to have a whole new transmission in one of the trucks. Mind you that this truck is almost ten years old, I believe. I would like to see the difference in cost between having a new transmission installed, by an outside company, or just buying a new truck altogether.

If Councilpersons Cynthia A. Marx and Ryan P. Nowlin are serious about their re-election bids, it would behoove them to look into this issue and explain to the citizens of Lakewood how they plan to get public works reliable vehicles. I would like themselves or Mayor/Public Safety Director Michael P. Summers to do this in a public statement, not through a "Deck Watcher".

[Lori Allen _]

North Olmsted Mayor Kevin M. Kennedy's Rental Property - Early Trash Set-Out

Let it be noted here that on the afternoon of Thursday, March 2nd, 2017, North Olmsted Mayor Kevin M. Kennedy's rental property on Ethel Avenue here in Lakewood had trash out on the tree lawn five days early. Ethel Avenue's garbage collection day is Tuesday.

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As you can plainly see, this is not just regular garbage. This is a whole "move-out". I fully expect North Olmsted Mayor Kevin M. Kennedy to receive a fine for this, right?

A friendly note to North Olmsted Mayor Kevin M. Kennedy:

Please be advised that the regular garbage collection day for your Ethel Avenue rental property is Tuesday. No garbage, refuse, or other debris may be placed on the tree lawn of your Ethel Avenue rental property prior to 6:00 P.M. on Monday night or after 6:30 A.M. on Tuesday morning. Also, all refuse cans or "Toters" must be removed from the tree lawn of your Ethel Avenue rental property by 6:30 A.M. Wednesday morning. In accordance with Lakewood Codified Ordinances, it is your responsibility to ensure that your tenants are aware of and comply with all City of Lakewood Refuse/Recycling regulations. Any possible fines for non-compliance will be assessed to you. If you are confused about any of the above refuse/recycling regulations, I strongly urge you to contact the Lakewood Division of Refuse & Recycling at 216-252-4322. Thanks.

Next, this is something I have been holding off on posting, but I believe it is time. You can count on the Lakewood Streets & Forestry Commissioner putting his trash out early (between 10 A.M. and noon) every single week. You can practically set your watch to it. This week was no different. I would think a higher-ranking city employee could know better. Again, I have been refraining from posting about this for months, but it is an every single week occurrence.

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A note to Lakewood's Streets & Forestry Commissioner: Your regular garbage collection day is also Tuesday. If you have questions, please feel free to call your co-workers at the Lakewood Division of Refuse of Recycling at 216-252-4322, or your bosses Public Works Director Joseph J. Beno and Mayor/Public Safety Director Michael P. Summers. I am confident they would be willing to take a moment, sit down with you, and explain when and how to put garbage out. Thanks.

I can already hear BuildLakewood and the "Deck Patrol" screaming at the top of their lungs across town about this. The simple fact is that these two individuals have violated the refuse/recycling regulations. They both hold high-ranking positions in local government. I politely reminded them to keep our streets clean by following the City of Lakewood Refuse/Recycling Regulations. If government is not held accountable, why should anyone else? It starts at the top.

[bentleymike]

Quick! Someone call the cops on me! It's 8:15 PM & I just got home from work. My garbage cans weren't taken in on time....

[jackie f taylor]

I would think, taking the cans in on time is the least of the problems regarding "trash", you are pardoned Mr. Bentley. I admit, I put my can out early, 4 pm, instead of 6 pm, you see your honor, the later in the evening, the colder it gets, and I'm almost disabled, about the only thing that will get me out of my apartment after 4 pm, on a cold winter night is a fire or an ambulance. so please forgive me.

[Lori Allen _]

I do not typically complain about cans left out, unless it is several days later. Actually, hardly anything in this thread has dealt with cans not being removed, especially the day after garbage day. Perhaps the posts have not been being read in their entirety.

Over the past month, it would appear that a few individuals, possibly members of what I call the "Deck Watchers" appear to have been attempting a highjack or total derailment of this thread. I get it. It does not portray the mayor in the best light, but as I have said before, his reputation on the Lakewood Observation Deck is pretty much destroyed.

In any event, I would prefer it if Mayor/Public Safety Director Michael P. Summers has any concerns about this thread, if he could find my telephone number and call me himself. Better yet, he could come knock on my door. I would be more than willing to sit down and talk with him over coffee (or a vintage bottle of old rum). He needs to take responsibility and do his own talking. I know he has quite a roar in him, as he roared for the Cleveland Clinic!

Now, to get this thread back on track, this was spotted on Cove yesterday (Monday) near Edgewater, a full four days before garbage pick-up on this street:

12065 Edgewater.jpg (13.72 KiB) Viewed 4447 times

Cheers to getting a thread back on track and ensuring Mayor/Public Safety Director Michael P. Summers knows what one of his many responsibilities are.

[bentleymike]

I get it if trash cans are out days earlier, or left days after. My point is...who cares if they're set out a few hours earlier? I'll be the first to tell you that my own father does it as an activity on the days they watch my kids. It's something my boys look forward to every week, because they get to help grandpa take the garbage cans to the curb. Is that "ruining the neighborhood"? Is it really having a profound effect on our lives?

On the trash that is out days earlier in the pictures you post, there are cases where people can call the refuse dept, and have them come pick up trash, i.e. Furniture, etc. I'm not saying it is for sure the case in those photos, but let's try to give some benefit of the doubt. I've been part of yard cleanups where we've done just that.

I think some of the work you do is good, but let's not throw a retired city worker under the bus for setting his cans out early, particularly when him and his family have given a lot to the city and been good citizens.

[Lori Allen _]

Perhaps we are not talking about the same person. I just called City Hall and he is in a meeting.

1. However, let's assume for a moment that he is retired: How would you know? I never saw a press release or post on OneLakewood.com announcing his retirement. If you have a link to a story about this, I would be interested in seeing it.
2. If he did retire, we can chalk it up to another "ship jumper".

Despite everything, I am still willing to meet the mayor any time for coffee or some old, dusty, vintage rum, as this thread seems to be really bothering him recently! He doesn't need to go through anyone else to convey his opinions or sediments.

[bentleymike]

Perhaps we are not talking about the same person. I just called City Hall and he is in a meeting.

1. However, let's assume for a moment that he is retired: How would you know? I never saw a press release or post on OneLakewood.com announcing his retirement. If you have a link to a story about this, I would be interested in seeing it.
2. If he did retire, we can chalk it up to another "ship jumper".

Despite everything, I am still willing to meet the mayor any time for coffee or some old, dusty, vintage rum, as this thread seems to be really bothering him recently! He doesn't need to go through anyone else to convey his opinions or sediments.

The picture you posted is the RETIRED streets dept. head's trash on his curb. I know, because I've known the family for nearly my whole life. He also lives around the corner from me. Not everything needs a huge announcement or press release.

Let's not play that game of bringing the mayor into it, Lori. No one made a single statement about your "Lord" until you brought it up. Move onto something else. Or better yet, how about you talk about something you actually like about the city you live in?

[Lori Allen _]

Your admission of knowing the individual and the family likely explains your apparent fury over one simple post. Then again, that does not add up. If I recall, almost everyone at City Hall claims that the LO and the Deck are terrible outlets and that nobody reads them. If that is the case, why this very sudden ire over a post on a forum that supposedly nobody reads?

While it is unfortunate that I have apparently ired you over one post, that is how the cookie crumbles, unfortunately.

No, I will not be told what to say or write. If I begin to see Mayor/Public Safety Director Michael P. Summers taking the duties of public office seriously, being proactive, and addressing issues in a timely fashion, I will be sure to make mention of that when and if that time comes. The same applies to members of Lakewood City Council. If I begin to see those individuals taking the duties of their positions seriously, addressing issues, and being proactive, I will be sure to mention that as well. Unfortunately, neither Mayor/Public Safety Director Michael P. Summers nor any members of Lakewood City Council have done that as of yet. As much as they will deny, it is an open secret that they read the Lakewood Observation Deck frequently and are well aware of what issues residents want addressed.

This thread will not be de-railed. To get this thread back on track, 24/7/365 early trash set-outs is one of those issues. If I see a decrease in early trash set-outs around the city or in any of their respective wards, I will be sure to mention that.

Come on Summers & Council, eye of the tiger!

[jackie f taylor]

This week, I put my big blue recycle can out Tuesday at 4 pm, earlier than the 6 pm aloud, under the statue, (Wednesday is pick up day), but I'm old, I deserve a break, but not at McDonalds, today Wednesday, at 6 pm, my can still has not been emptied? WHAT? last WEEK, again my can was not picked up, and DURING THE WIND STRORM, my can was blown over and all my mail, porn, my spent lottery tickets, all my private information was scattered all the way down Madison avenue to Joe's Deli on W 118th and Madison. Almost every other week, I have to call the recycle center and complain, my stuff has not been picked up. Who is driving the truck? Ray Charles? If I pay a painter to paint, and he does not paint, why do I still have to pay him? City services are not working. Helen Keller can plainly see, something is not right. Do I need to tie balloons on my cans to make them visible?