The Observation Deck

Since it is too complicated for the city to initiate this problem solving program, "Craig's list" has a huge amount of haulers who will remove your trash for a fee.

So if my new couch is delivered on Monday, and my trash pick up is Wednesday, then I should pay someone to take the old one away? This as opposed to putting it on the tree lawn like neighbors do upon occasion and risk Lori coming by to take a picture of it.

LCO 177.01 states the following:

The owner, occupant or person having the charge or management of any lot or parcel of land situated within the City, whether the same be improved or unimproved, vacant or occupied, shall not permit refuse or debris to be placed on the tree lawn for collection prior to 6:00 p.m. on the evening before regular refuse collection for that property.

In simpler terms:

Don't put any garbage out on your tree lawn prior to 6:00 P.M. on the day before collection.

The law is clear on this. Laws are put in place for a reason. Most people don't want to look at other people's garbage for 2 to 6 days before garbage day. I know I sure don't. Additionally, the August 2015 update of the refuse & recycling regulations states the following:

The Director of Public Safety adopts Rules and Regulations for the placement of refuse, trash, bulk waste, yard waste and recyclables in a manner that will promote collection efficiency and the protection of the quality of neighboring properties.

The bottom line is that there is really no excuse for it. Old furniture or other garbage can be kept in storage for a few days, even in the backyard if needs be. If you have a special issue or a disability, the city will often work with you. I am tired of looking at garbage on almost every Lakewood street. This has nothing to do with renters. Even people that have owned their houses for years are becoming repeat offenders.

I think City Hall should enforce all laws on the books, especially before making new ones. I will not stop pointing out when City Hall consistently fails to enforce laws. If anyone disagrees with the laws City Hall currently has on the books, it may be wise to contact your ward councilperson as well as Mayor/Public Safety Director Michael P. Summers.

FWIW.

Your trash: put it on the front porch, or in the back yard or in your garage, leave it in your house till trash day, You don't want to see it sitting around for a week you say? Well neither do we.

I'm guilty of regularly forgetting to bring my cans in the same day. It's usually the next morning when I notice. The thing is, I give all my neighbors reasons to overlook this. I mow my neighbors front lawn at the same time as my own. We all shovel each others sidewalks on occasion. We have a good neighborhood of people that help each other out. Guess I'm lucky. Or I've just lived in the same dang house too long.

"This has nothing to do with renters."

I agree. That is why I am questioning the continued mention of renters in a derogatory manner.
"It's not just the rentals now that are offending."
"Renters don't pay property taxes" when talking about how much "skin" a person might have in this city.

As a renter for many years who takes great pride in this city, and living here, this is just odd.
Minor complaint, I know, but renters can be good citizens too, even if they're only renters.
Trash out early! Why, even the homeowners are doing it now!

Some streets are better than others, and in a lot of cases - I would bet the majority - neighbors will cut each other a little slack for the very occasional early set-out. In other cases I suppose it's a much bigger problem.

Lori, left town with the family. Heading to Falling Water in PA. I had to put my green and blue trash bins on the tree lawn this morning. I apologize for the massive eye sore thIs will cause the residents of Riverway and Lakewood. How should I have handled this? What would Lori do? WWLD?

Stan would take them out for you

I have a good neighbor roll them out.

Patrick Wadden wrote:Lori, left town with the family. Heading to Falling Water in PA. I had to put my green and blue trash bins on the tree lawn this morning. I apologize for the massive eye sore thIs will cause the residents of Riverway and Lakewood. How should I have handled this? What would Lori do? WWLD?

You rascally rebel. You rule breaker. Free yourself from the tyranny of the calendar - just put it out when you feel like it. You're entitled. Just to confirm that you are good with ALL of your neighbors also putting out trash, mattresses, furniture, etc any old day of the week? On Riverway?

Lets face it, our views, our opinions don't matter. I got a notice from the city, an exterior wall needs to be painted. What? Your house is falling apart and your telling me about mine???? Anything you say my furor, There is so much wrong in our city, the least is my pealing paint.

Which I don't have...

Let us all not forget Mr. Summer's special rule:

It appears that if you are Mike summers, a probable business partner of Darren, you can take over a year to flip houses in Lakewood, without the proper permits, leaving unsafe garbage laying about the property and on the public sidewalks, broken windows, etc.

Mr. Summers, does membership have it's price?

The following trash was spotted out several days early during the holiday (Thanksgiving) week, but mostly on the holiday or the weekend following it.

Why is this such an issue you ask? When I have company to my home in Lakewood for the holiday, the last thing I want them to see is mattresses, box springs, ripped-up couches, yard waste, and other trash lying around the streets. It is bad enough when it lays out for days and days at other times of the year. Now, it appears that many of our neighborly neighbors just can't wait to get their mattresses out on their tree lawn for the masses to see and kids to jump on (pray for a miracle that it is not infested with bugs or cockroaches).

No room in your house after your new mattress, sofa, or other furniture item is delivered? There are several remedies:

1. Keep the item in storage until your scheduled collection day. This could be in the garage, back room, or even the backyard.

2. Take the item to the City of Lakewood Refuse Drop-Off Facility located at 12920 Berea Rd. Monday thru Friday from 7:00 A.M. To 3:30 P.M. or Saturday from 8:00 A.M. To 12:00 noon. I took some excess yard waste to the facility a few months ago and simply threw the bags in the back of an old garbage truck in the garage. The process is very simple, just be sure to bring vehicle registration and proof of residency. If you have questions, please call the Lakewood Division of Refuse & Recycling at 216-252-4322.

3. If you have a disability or special circumstance that requires a special collection, please call the Lakewood Division of Refuse & Recycling at 216-252-4322 to see if special arrangements can be made.

As you can see, there are really very few, if any excuses for setting items out days upon days before garbage day. Therefore, every single time refuse is set-out early or improperly, the $100 invoice should be sent to the appropriate party (homeowner, landlord, etc.) This could pay for a special collector/inspector to work part time for a few days a week. This would generate revenue for the city as well as keep our streets appealing.

Once again, if there is a property in your neighborhood that sets our garbage early, feel free to grab the address of the offending property and report the issue to the following entities:

Lakewood Division of Refuse & Recycling: 216-252-4322
Lakewood Department of Public Works: 216-529-6800
Office of Mayor/Public Safety Director Michael P. Summers: 216-529-6600 or mayor@lakewoodoh.net
Your ward and/or at large councilperson see http://www.onelakewood.com/findget/lake ... y-council/ for contact information

To see if an address has been invoiced for early garbage set-out, have the address ready and call the Lakewood Department of Finance at 216-529-6097

This trash was spotted on Wayne last Thursday. It laid out all weekend.