Good riddance to cumbersome sort-tote-lift method of recycling
Published August 7, 2003
Editor: I have read several letters in the Times recently that were negative about the new curbside recycling system. As an octogenarian, I wish to refute the arguments presented and state how pleased I am not to have to transport my recyclables to the school or supermarket, as I did previously.
That required a series of steps:
1. Save each of the recyclable items in a separate bag - newspapers/cardboard, glass, plastics, cans.
2. Lift the bags into the trunk of my car and make sure the items are secure so they do not roll all over the trunk.
3. Drive to the school or supermarket.
4. Lift each bag over my head to the high, small window provided and hope the bins are not so full that I can't push the items in. This requires a great deal of physical effort, especially if they are heavy, as are the newspapers.
How much easier it is now! The newspapers are still heavy, so, when necessary, I carry the empty or half-empty receptacle to the curb. Then I carry the papers out in the bags and dump them. It's certainly easier than the previous efforts.
It took two weeks to get the schedule worked out on my street, but now I can set the clock by the pickup at 8 a.m. Wednesdays.
-- Doris J. Bedell, Spring Hill
Let's get moving to make recycling work
Editor: Re: Seniors struggle to use crates for recyclables, Aug. 1 letter to the editor:
I have to disagree 100 percent with Wanda T. Bashen's letter. Recycling is no laughing matter. Waste disposal in the United States is a monumental problem. Landfill space is at a premium.
Waste Management of Pasco gives us excellent and inexpensive service. In Michigan, we paid more than twice as much for far less service. By increasing the volume of critical and profitable recycling materials, Waste Management can do a better job of cost containment.
I regret that Wanda isn't enjoying good health at 74. At 79, I am blessed with good health and can see only the benefits of the new recycling program. If a one-week collection of papers, cardboard, plastic and cans is too heavy to manage, take the bin out partly full and place the rest in the bin a little at a time. A wagon or a dolly might be the answer.
If this still presents a problem, use the recycling centers, as we have done in the past. We still must use the recycling dropoff centers to dispose of our junk mail and glass. My problem is with the lazy and thoughtless people who don't recycle.
Ms. Bashen lived in my era, and she should know the practical, financial and economic benefits of recycling. A big bonus is the conservation of valuable raw materials. Those of us who served in and survived World War II appreciate the housewives across the nation who turned in their aluminum pots and pans to meet the demands for airplanes and other necessary implements of war. We can't repay their dedication.
Let's all get off our duffs and make the recycling program work. The problem will only get worse for the generations to come.
-- Loren M. Jenks, Spring Hill
Note to complainers: Hello, dolly
Re: Crates bog down required recycling, July 22 letter to the editor:
We have a tool that was created shortly after the invention of the wheel. It is called a "two-wheeled truck," or material handling device. You can pick one up at any hardware store.
This truck is designed to move products from point A to point B in a fairly effortless manner.
I think our complainers and those who sit awake all day dreaming up things to gripe about have too much time on their hands. Instead of complaining about the tarnished "golden years," they should get involved in some light activity in a voluntary capacity. There are a thousand things we seniors can do with our 24 hours per day.
Why don't we wake up each morning and say, "Thank you, God, for another day filled with problems to solve?"
-- Robert V. Mueller, Spring Hill
Hey, commissioners, that's my money
Re: Hernando County Commission budget hearings. One teeny-tiny observation:
Our commissioners seem to be having a hard time finding ways to cut spending, yet one of the line items is a computer for the county attorney's office for $2,399.
I don't know what planet they are living on; nor am I aware of the need for the county attorney to be doing CGI or other graphic-intensive programming requiring that much computing power. But all week long you can go to a "big box" store and buy brand-new computers with 2-plus gig processor, 256-meg RAM, 40-gig hard drives, monitors, printers, CD writers and possibly DVD players for under $700.
What gives here? Have our county employees become prima donnas in that they need the absolute newest, fastest, biggest in technology to simply read e-mail, write some documents, surf the Web or put data into a database?
They may take a pass on this one item, but how many more items like it are in the budget that will be approved? I am astounded (frankly, I shouldn't be) by the attitude that has permeated all levels of government when it comes to dealing with "other people's" money. That's my money!
-- Vilmar Tavares, Spring Hill
Check out what other summer camps do
Re: Summer camp lapses revealed, July 29 Times:
Editor: Having worked at many summer camps in another state - day, overnight, private and municipal camps - I can attest it was common practice to allow adult counselors' children to attend without cost.
One overnight camp I worked at even supplied housing for employees' family members, and allowed them to use the facilities and eat in the common mess hall.
The reasons are obvious. Parents with children in camp are more responsible than teenage counselors. It often is a way to attract better employees to what is a low-paying job.
Before the Hernando County Commission and Parks and Recreation Department director make a final decision, I suggest they investigate the policies of other camps in Florida.
-- Carl Dohm, Brooksville
[Last modified August 7, 2003, 01:47:45]
