Car guard keeps street clean and tidy
THE traditional blue mini trash bins that were attached to functional parking meters some decades ago were some indication that a city was under control.
Those were the days when traffic cops on foot or bikes roamed the streets, and enforced the law.
For undeclared reasons, these three important elements of a civilised society were abolished.
Ever since, Westbourne Road has declined into an eyesore that was tragically phased in as a norm.
Nobody seemed to care about the mess – not the shopkeepers, nor the authorities, nor the public.
But someone does: a Mr Black, a licensed parking attendant who cleans up the mess using a broom provided by a nearby shop assistant.
He says he does not get paid for sweeping the pavements and ridding the parking zones from all sorts of rubbish.
The broom provider acknowledged that she often gave him a tip from her purse but the shop does not contribute.
There are quite a few well-established businesses in the immediate surrounding, such as a hardware shop, pharmacy, pizza takeaway outlet, picture framing shop, upholsterer, etc.
In my view they should not only be ashamed of allowing their business doorstep to deteriorate beyond all signs of pride, but also for not recognising and rewarding Black’s efforts in a way that is appropriate to the mileage they get out of his endeavours, and his needs as a senior citizen.
Not to speak of the neglect by the city authorities.
Ben Venter, Mill Park, Port Elizabeth