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Steve Myers
Site Admin
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Ralph and Bob are becoming popular on the
north and east sides of Flint. The two men are part of
Mayor Don Williamson's Clean-up Crew dedicated to
cleaning up the city. Ralph can be seen driving around in an
official red 1998 Mayor Don Williamson Dodge Ram
Truck, equipped with a long trailer for picking up the city's
trash.
The sign on the trailer reads "Mayor Don
Williamson, cleaning up Flint today, not tomorrow."
Don Williamson's recyclingor "dump" on 2420 South
Grand Traverse offers a unique service that is the only
one of its kind in existence.
The site allows free dumping and trash pick-up services
on private property paid for by the Mayor, not by the tax payers.
It is open 7 days a week, but only to the citizens of
Flint.
The two men who run the service are great characters.
"Ralph is usually the one who drives around and I stay at the
yard," said Bob (who always has a cigar in his mouth).
Both say working on the clean-up crew is fulfilling work.
"Just today I got to help a nice old lady get rid of an old
couch that the garbage company wuld not pick up," said
Ralph.
There are rules that apply
to the service. "When I get a slip, I go and pick up old
couches, yard waste, and whatever else, but I only can if
there's a slip," said Ralph. He disposes of everything from
trash to brush, cleans out evictions, and anything that is an
eyesore to the city of Flint. In the summer, Ralph
paints over run-down buildings and graffiti on private property.
All over the North and East Sides, there are deteriorated
properties painted brown by Ralph. Williamson only allows
the use of brown paint because it covers everything
up.
Ralph thinks that over the last 2 years he has painted over
50 buildings.
"After we paint a building, it only takes a few days sometimes
and there is graffiti right back on them. We'll clean a
street of trash and then two days later it's littered again. I
have no idea where it all comes from," said Ralph.
Citizens are encouraged to use the recycling center, but if
there is a situation and Ralph's services are needed, call (810)
424-6247.
What cannot be thrown away? No carpet, Logs over 3 inches
in diameter, loose trash, trailers, or building materials.
Citizens are allowed to toss:
household trash, appliances, refrigerators and freezers if the
pump is broken, mattresses, brush, and yard waste.
Hours are Mon-Fri 8-6 and Sunday 12-6
"We're doing what we can to help the city, but it takes
time," said Bob. The Business Club will be
hosting an event with Mayor Williamson in March in the
William S. White Building later this month as well.
Full Story:
http://www.themichigantimes.com/news/2005/02/14/Features/Mayor.Williamsons.Clean.Up.Crew.Takes.On.Flints.Trash-867025.shtml |
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Sat Mar 05, 2005 11:46 am |
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