The town council of Silver Lake has ordered the Silver Lake Police Department to start enforcing Ordinance 96-11 requiring residents to purchase trash cans or "receptacles." My understanding of the reason for this is a few residents have been leaving trash out early for pick-up (probably lake people who are there on weekends). So instead of taking the issue to the few, let's screw up the town for all.
Here's the problems I have. Now we have trash cans sitting all over town where, as before, we set the bags out and the private contractor (who do an excellent job by the way) would pick them up. These cans create an eyesore and a traffic hazard as we have two state highways going through our town. Now we face the problem of cans/lids blowing into the roadways creating a hazard. Hopefully, the city won't be held responsible for accidents and damage since they ordered this action.
Also, now cans are left sitting out at curbs making the town look like a dump. This includes the town hall cans which were still out by the roadway Friday morning when I went to work. Upon hearing the police report from last month for Silver Lake, I know our outstanding officers have much better things to do than be trash patrol. Also, the cans slow down the collection process for the trash collectors, costing them time which I'm hoping does not result in higher rates next year and more tax dollars for me and you. I think there's more than trash that needs or be removed in Silver Lake.
