The Observation Deck

Keep Lakewood Beautiful Day is April 19th.

Mary Anne Crampton is asking for all Mainstreet Businesses to get their property in tip top shape before then.

I would encourage MAMA, and all other businesses in Lakewood to get their properties spic and span before that date as well.

One thing I have been trying for years, and I would encourage the city to embrace this as well. ALL BUSINESSES sweep daily to the curb in the morning, and have the city send street sweepers around at say 10am.

It works in Europe and it works at Disney World.

CLEAN is so very important when trying to bring in new residents, businesses, shoppers etc.

Let's make sure the city is clean by April 19th, and everyday after that as well.

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And while we're at it - how about on the residential streets? Today I walked up to the school to pick up my daughter. I started picking up garbage on the sidewalk, tree lawns, and yards.

AMAZING! I wish I'd brought a bag with me. I couldn't keep up with all of the garbage that's has been uncovered since the snow melt.

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Hate to tell you Rick but those beer cans bloom year round in Lakewood.

I found an unopened one on the office front stoop....anyone who can identify the size and type may claim it...

Jeff

24oz Coors Light

Diane and Jim,

Reading your posts about keeping Lakewood clean year round has pulled me from reader to poster. I walk my boys to school on a regular basis and walk my dogs around town as well. I'm amazed at the debris. I often pick things up, or at least move the broken glass off the walks so kids don't slip or step on it.

My question is similar to one I ask for every Lakewood issue:

What can we do about it? How can the powers that be, get involved?

I've seen a sidewalk sweeper in action. How much does that cost to operate? Could it be used in the spring and fall at least when debris seems to be at its worst? The sidewalk path's, while not only in crumbling decay are often littered with glass and dog waste.

Can the city sidewalk-white-dot-maker please focus on paths highly traveled by children?

I would drive a sidewalk sweeper if it meant cleaner paths for our kids.

I want to talk about solutions, not just complaints.

I read through the Main Street clean up sheet , flower box sheet, and upcoming events. All GREAT ideas and terrific ways to help beautify our city. My question is... can we sponser flowers for businesses that may not have the money to do so. The two that come to mind are the Lakewood Christian Service Center and the WIC office. Both of these are in the center of Lakewood and both need a face lift. Just wondering.

What's the cost?

Can we round up some folks to help?

Chris

One thing I advocated with the last administration is to get store owners to sweep EVERY DAY to the curb by let's say 11:00am. Then have the street sweepers hit Madison and Detroit EVERY DAY.

This would do wonders, as studies have shown that people keep clean things clean, and generally do not care to keep dirty things clean.

This works in Europe and DisneyWorld, and I am sure here as well.

As most who visit do so in the business districts this would seem to be the most important step to cleaning up.

Then why not expand the duty of block watches into "block groups" cleaning, parties, picnics, meeting etc.

To quote Ezra Pound, "This is not rocket surgery."

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