The Observation Deck

It's going to be more difficlult to think about expanding or adding community gardens if council kills the Adopt-a-Spot program altogether.

That's one of those quality of life programs that citizens are going to have to figure out how to continue on their own.

DL,

Now that is something to fight for. I know they lost their grant funding. I didn't know they were going to kill the Adpot-A-Spot Program. Is that a fact?

That is something we should try to save...like you say before we tackle another project.

Are there enought concerned citizens to do something about this?

Rhonda Loje

Rhonda loje wrote:DL,

Now that is something to fight for. I know they lost their grant funding. I didn't know they were going to kill the Adpot-A-Spot Program. Is that a fact?

That is something we should try to save...like you say before we tackle another project.

Are there enought concerned citizens to do something about this?

Rhonda Loje

Rhonda-

I can only cite rumor, and rumor also has it that the recycling program is endangered.

Perhaps council members will clarify what was discussed last night.

I can only cite rumor, and rumor also has it that the recycling program is endangered.

Please say that isn't true. I have been hoping the city would expand the recycling program so that we can recycle more goods. I can't imagine any city, especially a city as supposedly forward thinking as Lakewood, of getting rid of recycling.

Are we saving money as a city by recycling or is it costing us money? If it is costing us money - why? And if it is costing us money - can we do something differently so that it at least breaks even?

I would think the only reason we would be thinking of getting rid of it is the cost. We already have the huge investment in the trucks. So we can't count that again.

The Adopt a spot programs are beautiful and add so much to the city. I hope they don't get rid of them.

You know Rhonda - you are right - I had the wrong park. Does the location I mentioned even have a name?

Lynn,

I don't think it has a name..I don't think it is even a park.
I don't even know if the City owns that property. It would be interesting to find out who does though...and why it is undeveloped. There has to be a reason.

Also, your right...we should find out why they are thinking about getting rid of the recycling program. That program if given up would be hard to put back together again. Maybe our councilman Mr. Butler can enlighten us as to why this is even a consideration. Does this program operate in the red.... I know the city has to cut expenses...it seems a little too easy.

I would be willing to take my trash to street to save the recycling program and retire the trashmobiles..for goodness sakes..I took my trash to the curb in Strongsville.

As for the Adopt-A-Spot Program...I would think that program has a very small budget. It would seem to me that the cuts that the City needs to make are huge...and these are just very small programs to address a very big problem.

I think there is a better way to address the problem.

Are we saving money as a city by recycling or is it costing us money? If it is costing us money - why?

We are saving money by recycling. I remember the city did an advertising campaign a few months ago about how much money was saved by recycling.

Lynn-

Is the spot to which you refer the St. Charles green?

According to the city, "The City of Lakewood was paid $40/ton for paper and $70/ton for baled cardboard putting $85,210 into the general fund.

If everyone in Lakewood recycled their paper and cardboard, the City would save approximately $400,000 in landfill costs and make $400,000 more. A total of approximately $800,000 that would benefit Lakewood programs."

"Because of the increase in fuel cost plus increased state fees, the City of Lakewood is paying $38.60 per ton to landfill waste. That's an increase of $7.20/ton more than last year."

I also encourage everyone to take their paper to the schools for recycling. Each of the elementary schools have a large dumpster for paper. It helps them to get a little cash and it helps the environment.

The city employees behind Adopt-A-Spot organize citizen volunteers to care for 50 spots throughout Lakewood. They send out educational information to citizens and to teachers. (This is what the teachers use as a basis for their classroom education).

This department also organizes Earth Day activities and the annual Spring Spruce-up. They also organize the spring and autumnal leaf humus and perennial plant sale. Last year they divided Adopt-a-Spot plants to sell at the autumn humus sale to raise more money for the programs.

Council is going to discuss the fate of this program tonight at 6:15 PM in the jury room at City Hall.

Perhaps some Lakewoodites who care about this program can attend & talk with Council.