The Editor:
I am writing this letter in response to the editorial in the April 7 Mercury about the revival of the Golden Garbage Can competition.I am not quite sure if this person is living in the city of Estevan or having a bad dream.
With reference to the automated garbage pickup, the City of Weyburn was well aware of what happened in our city regarding our petition and good for them for stepping back and taking a hard look at the situation. The no-hands pickup is good only for the contractor; he does not have to put the container back in the proper place; he does not have to close the lid; he does not have to set the container back on its wheels and he does not have to fasten the lid down.
Has this person driven down any back alley after a pickup? Well, all of the above are what would be seen and every now and then - yes, they do spill the garbage and they are also supposed to pick it up according to the contract, but do not hold your breath.
If we are going to come close to retaining this precious piece of metal, I would suggest they start first at the City Yard. This catch-all area is a mess, and they had at least six months last year to clean it up and make it look like something. They think that the citizens should clean up their yards, grass, fences, etc., and they have a blind eye when it comes to the City Yard.
Our City employees in the different departments lack co-operation with one another, but it is well known by our City Fathers, and it is still a very, very big problem that must be cleaned up for harmonization within the departments.
Trying to beautify our city will be very difficult as the clean-up campaign from last year has at least 60 per cent of the files left over with nothing done about them. The problem is internal, which has everyone talking a good talk, but when it comes down to the nitty-gritty, it seems a magician shows up and they all disappear to surface at a later date hoping it is all forgotten. And yes, with excuses that only civil politics will generate.
Yes, I would really like to see our city cleaned up, but there is no one in the administration with enough balls to put the pedal to the metal and go for it. The one-day blitz by City workers coming up has to be not a one day affair, but with complete dedication for another 364 days.
And yes, I will sign my name to the above information.
Dale M. Wetsch,
Estevan
