It’s high time to clean up our city’s garbage
Trash cans, potholes require attention
It is just one of many urban mysteries that will set Montrealers a-howling.
Out for a late-night stroll with Fido, Bailey or Coco, the devoted dog owner stoops to collect a little clump of warm and soggy dung and wrap it in a plastic bag.
And then — maybe because the dog owner can’t find a trash can nearby or because they’ve only begun their walk or because their own garbage won’t be picked up for three days or maybe because they are lazy and inconsiderate — he or she drops that steamy, gooey gift back on the sidewalk for someone to step on, or in a gutter, tied to a fence or, the best-case scenario destined to spawn neighbourhood friction, in someone else’s litter bin.
For compelling reasons, we’ve all been spending a great deal of time and energy lately worrying about corruption in Montreal, Laval and other communities across the province where bribes flourished and the mob reigned.
Yet many confess that on a daily business, they are more preoccupied — and as incensed — by dirty business much closer to home. We’re talking rubbish, bad roads, potholes, second-hand smoke, graffiti.
We’re also talking about inaction, incompetence and indifference.
“Where is the urgency to perform?” Michael McHugh asked in answer to my call for readers to tell us what would get them out to vote in the Nov. 3 municipal elections. McHugh reeled off a litany of concerns ranging from corruption and steep taxes to ineffectual leadership and failure to solve simple problems. “Just like the Montreal Canadiens, you have to perform. Otherwise, get out, it’s not your métier. Unfortunately, it looks like more of the same, which is a disaster in slow motion.”
Edith Rey, who lives in the Plateau, wants the same thing from her
“Just like the Montreal Canadiens, you have to perform. Otherwise, get out, it’s not your métier.”
MICHAEL MCHUGH
local candidates that she pleaded for during the last city election four years ago: more garbage cans. “More and more people own dogs. I love dogs. But they have to walk around carrying little baggies of poo until they get home because there are no garbage cans in huge areas of the Plateau.”
Rey grew up in Vancouver and still visits there often. “Every time I return to Montreal, I am shocked at Montreal’s negligence and poverty and dirtiness. We have all those mayors and council people and they can’t even keep our streets and sidewalks clean!”
“I am not proud of my city any- more. It offends my senses,” said Susan Stromberg-Stein, who is appalled by everything from cigarette butts on the sidewalks and inadequate garbage collection to the proliferation of graffiti, panhandlers and street people.
“I want more surveillance and stiffer penalties for graffiti. I want it erased everywhere,” she wrote. “The roads are cracked and broken, potholes are everywhere. The bridges are old and dangerous. Construction paralyzes the city. Montreal looks like a Third World country. ”
Philip Herbst wants our next mayor and council to crack down on people who smoke in doorways, and at outdoor cafés and terrasses. “Second-hand smoke is very dangerous; it degrades our health, our commons and our health care system. Why is there not sufficient education about and regulation of these threats?”
Joseph Zektzer wants a cleaner city with nice sidewalks that are safe and pleasant. Better streets would be nice too. “This is so much talked about that everybody seems to be fed up and accept this horrible situation. New York City, Chicago, Vermont, Toronto also have bad long winters. But they seem to have nice roads.”
“I’ve seen trucks watering plants in the rain,” said Hans Behr. “I’ve seen city employees having breakfast at the local restaurant in the morning while some were sleeping in the truck waiting for the driver to come back. Many feel that our votes are wasted and ask themselves why bother.”
Gary Bernstein is enraged by dreadful road conditions which mean he’s routinely shelling out another thousand dollars to fix his damaged car.
He said that instead of making hollow promises “they won’t keep,” Montreal’s mayoral candidates should take a stroll around our “Island of Indifference” and listen to people.
“Collect the garbage, and fire the garbagemen who throw your containers to the wind,” Bernstein says. “Fire the bus driver who sees you running, but doesn’t stop. Fire that guy … who spends his day looking into a hole while others around him work 10 minutes of every hour.”
Montrealers have plenty to say about what how they want their city to work and how their money should be spent.
Are the politicians listening?