Parker: Trash talking politicians talk some trash
Trash talking Trenton officials did a lot of trash talk about cleaning up city
Just flew in from Puriscal, Costa Rica.
Go ahead. Yes, my arms are fatigued although my mind, body and soul list as rejuvenated after eight days without a text message, email, phone call or Twitter post.
One Trenton headline managed to escape through a wall of communication protection as my girlfriend showed an article about the arrest of two alleged illegal dumpers and a thousand promises made by Mayor Reed Gusciora, South Ward Councilman George Muschal and a host of holy prophets that this served as the turning point for the city’s trash problems.
Illegal dumpers, as opposed to the legal dumpers who trash every ward in this capital city? Plus, Trenton owns hundreds of properties beginning to fill with annual summer weeds or in such dilapidated condition that if privatelyowned would warrant summonses, fines and prison time.
Two dumpers? Place your index finger as near to your thumb without touching. That’s how close an accusation exists for saying that city officials are on the take from absentee landlords who escape prosecution despite the fact that many of their properties get rented repeatedly without inspections.
Even on my block in Chambersburg, several homes rent out as soon as the previous tenants leave. Hard to keep up with the new faces as new residents pay top dollar for crap living conditions.
Two dumpers? Gusciora and Muschal have formed a dump and dumper allegiance again after their bogus street sweeper event last summer. So, seeing the headline in Puriscal only offered more olfactory agitation as the unfulfilled stench from previous administrations mixed with new aspirations. By the way, how many more flies should feast on that dead deer on Stuyvesant Ave. near Joyce Kilmer Middle School before city workers remove the dead animal next to the poorly maintained Cadwalader Park gully area.
Gusciora leaned on the broken windows theory which claims that an unrepaired broken window leads to further vandalism and deterioration.
“Illegal dumping in the alleyways is the ultimate in “broken windows” theory. It leads to further urban decay and a negative view of the capital city. By being proactive in enforcement and utilizing volunteers in community groups, we help bring pride back to the capital city and make it attractive for economic development. Nobody wants to start a business when the alley behind it is loaded with trash and debris,” Gusciora said.
Business and economic development? Gusciora disconnects from the fact that people live in many neighborhoods tarnished by cityowned properties. It’s not just about making money. Some of us just want to live in peaceful, clean communities, free from properties overrun with weeds, rats, raccoons and vagrants.
Last year, North Ward Councilwoman Marge Caldwell-Wilson practically begged city officials to take action on Sanford St. where tons of garbage piled on porches of abandoned homes and in alleys. Many residents plead for police intervention regarding drug dealers and dumpers with minimal response. We have tired from screaming and shouting obscenities at both city representatives and the moon.
Most of us want to live in neighborhoods where the street sweepers show up after we have complied with parking rules that deliver easy access for these cleaning machines. Or, we want parking enforcement officials to target those vehicle owners who fail to adhere to these laws.
Ultimately, we need the City of Trenton to maintain its properties and for Mayor Gusciora and others to create a plan that deals with the eradication of houses that have no chance for redevelopment goals.
Broken windows, broken dreams and broken promises all contribute to the continued deterioration of Trenton.