Trenton resident tired of the mess is moving out
A resident named Manny sounded just like a Billy Joel character Thursday morning, minus the heavy rumble of car mufflers and screeching tires.
“I’m moving out,” Manny said. His declaration came as he wielded a broom and dust pan on Division St.
“I sweep up around here just about everyday. People just don’t get it and I don’t know that they ever will. It just takes five or ten minutes to sweep up, make your area look clean.”
Manny worked for the City of Trenton until he retired in 2015.
“Sold the house several weeks ago. And now I’m getting ready to move out to Lancaster (Pa.). It’s a lot quieter out there,” Manny said.
Manny cleaned up near the corner of Division and Hewett streets, not far from a July shooting event that included the killing of 15-yearold Kyler Bragg.
Three other teens were wounded during the incident. Temporary police floodlights remain in the spot where gunfire erupted.
Manny blamed absentee landlords and renters on the deterioration of his neighborhood.
“I think we have two people on this entire block who own their homes. It’s a lot different when people own their homes. I just can’t convince people that they should care enough to sweep up a little bit, clean up a little bit, even if they rent,” Manny lamented.
Manny expects quieter times in Lancaster, Pa. Founded in 1929, Lancaster matches Trenton with a 7.4 square mile size. Trenton boasts a population near 85,000 residents while 59,000 people live in Manny’s new town.
“I have family in Lancaster. Will probably get a part-time job,” Manny said.
“But you know, despite all the stuff that’s going on, I’m going to miss Trenton. Going to miss being out on the block in the morning and sweeping. It keeps me busy.”