Parker: Cleaning up Trenton is more than sweeping
Trenton Mayor Reed Gusciora ended an awkward first week in office with a press release regarding his intent to clean up Trenton along with sidekick South Ward Councilman George Muschal.
The political dynamic duo announcement read like a reincarnation of filmmaker Sergio Leone’s spaghetti western prowess, including ego-driven statements “I’m going to clean up this city.”
Cue the fabulous theme song by Ennio Morricone for “The Good, the Bad and the Ugly.”
Most Trenton residents desire a clean city but this idea that two politicians riding white-stallion street sweepers through Trenton misses the mark horrifically.
Sure, Trenton experiences an inordinate amount of dumping issues, particularly in alleys, however, individual residents trash many sidewalks, streets and isolated roadways.
This Gusciora-Muschal initiative intends implementation of a “Discounts For Debris” program which offers residents coupons if they keep their homes tidy.
Well, actually minimal details have been presented about this new giveaway.
Muschal, a tough-talking Republican, claimed the idea as his personal brain production, although paying people for cleanliness sounds more like another social welfare program.
Coupons for being clean sounds ridiculous. Coupons for what? Beer. Bags of pork rinds. Discounted entrance fees at Six Flags Great Adventure.
Residents should not receive rewards for doing what’s expected of them. A safe, clean future of Trenton requires more city inspectors who inform residents about their civic responsibility for keeping their homes, streets and yards maintained.
Rewards and affirmations may work for potty training toddlers but no way in the world should residents receive coupons for cleaning up their crap.
If residents fail to meet city standards then inspectors should dispense summonses. Period.
This same effort must extend to city business owners and all absentee landlords, many who receive minimal fines as repetitive law breakers.
The recidivism percentages of landlords ranks higher than most criminals although one could argue not much difference exists between many rental property owners and common thieves.
By the way, the City of Trenton should not throw stones or shade toward residents until employees maintain city-owned properties.
Ask any person how it feels living next to one of the city’s eyesores that feature caved roofs, boarded windows and weeds that grow 10-feet high.
The press release noted that street sweepers will work through Muschal’s district.
Gusciora, “suggested moving from the South Ward all the way up to the famous Battle Monument in the North. Councilwoman Marge Caldwell-Wilson was happy to oblige. The monument sits on the border between their electorates.”
How Muschal and CaldwellWilson earned this upper classification for cleanup efforts reeks of political patronage.
By the way, our city’s grand Battle Monument stands near the North and West wards, extremely distant from Muschal’s district.
Plus, street sweepers on parade should continue beyond the Battle Monument onto Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard, perhaps even take on the Third World country of Sanford St.
Gusciora and Muschal should exchange gimmickry for creation of real alliances with residents who share their desires for a clean Trenton.
Their self-indulged comments align with self-centered beliefs that only they can impact clean-city initiatives when most people know that residents destroy Trenton.
Muschal’s pitiful harangue that he could not accomplish any agendas with three previous African American mayors sounds odorous.
If Muschal desired a cleanup then he had the power to engage and enforce maintenance during his four-month term (March through June 2014) subbing as interim mayor for former Mayor Tony Mack who served prison time for a corruption conviction.
Mayor Gusciora should stop grandstanding, especially riding this idea that he and Muschal want to operate a street sweeper.
Cleaning Trenton sounds fantastic but this job and effort requires a community effort not the bluster of two politicians.