Trash Me

First, let me begin by telling you that I work in University City. I saw the local news when Ray Nagin made the remarks concerning Philly. I'm not a big fan of his, however, he was right on the mark. From the Market Frankford El, including Suburban and Market East Stations, to the streets in Center City. I just don't get a warm comfortable feeling. I've worked in NYC, and it's so much brighter, cleaner, and has a much better police presence on the streets and mass transit system. And believe it or not, there aren't nearly as many panhandlers looking for some spare change in Manhattan. Philly is so much smaller, but it just seems that the Mayor and City Council here don't possess the pride in their city that is needed to clean Philadelphia up.

Todd Kowalski

Your article highlights precisely what we're aiming to curb - I only wish I would have known you were writing this earlier or else I could have provided another option to keeping the streets clean. Below is an announcement on a City-wide clean up campaign the Commerce Department's Urban Industry Initiative is launching, which will target both the physical litter problem and education. We have support from over 40 organizations and companies (the list is growing and our detailed strategy hasn't even been released yet) including 16 CDC's, government departments and universities.

If you're truly concerned, I would love to send more information; perhaps as we finalize our strategy and begin our efforts we could get some positive press from you. If you have any questions or comments, please ask, and don't hesitate to forward the information below to any interested parties.

Regards,

Ned Rauch-Mannino
Policy and Program Analyst
Urban Industry Initiative
[e-mail:] Ned.Rauch-Mannino@phila.gov

I am one of those citizens who cannot believe that "Philadelphians" were upset about the comment from Mayor Nagin. I grew up in Philadelphia and Brooklyn and until this day, I believe that Philadelphia is unbelievably trashy. I visit family and friends in Philadelphia (especially Southwest) and I am shocked by all the trash. I have personally viewed people (young and old, American and immigrants) toss trash as if someone else will pick it up. In addition, all the "stop-n-go" stores, Chinese take-out restaurants, pizza shops and corner stores, don't help the problem. These owners do not clean in front of their establishments or provide receptacles and as a result contribute to the trash pile up.

Gone are the days where they have Saturday morning block clean-ups and block captains who passed out brooms and trash bags and garnered residents to come out and clean in front of their property. How I miss those days! Annissa K. Cameron

Quality of life struggle #1 trash day in Fairmount is every friday. Trash pickers are out in force on Thursday night ripping bags open. #2 renters put out trash whenever they feel like it. #3 9th Dist. Police are too busy patrolling center city than the neighborhoods -- thus the trash. I own my home and clean my street. We need help from the police and streets dept..This city government ONLY gets off it's arse when it's election time. Jim

I enjoyed your article on garbage in the city. I have one question that you may have come upon in your reporting. I live in the rittenhouse area. Why are the garbage cans not covered?
The bags are replaced and if it is a windy day, the wind pushes the bags right up and out of the can along with all of the garbage. It seems like keeping trash in the cans would help a bit. It has always been a pet peeve of mine that the cans are not covered, or the bags are not weighed down somehow.

Thanks,

John