Sunday, May 4, 2008

Square Beautification Program


You may have noticed the construction project on the Square - the new curbs on the corners, the recent filling with dirt and new trees. Soon to follow will be the plantings and whatever else will further beautify the Square. The cost?

Recently I was told that the cost was $205,000, at which I gasped. A search on the Northwest Herald website indicates that the $205,000 cost, however, is for Crystal Lake's downtown improvement project. It will be interesting to learn what Woodstock's cost is for the current improvement project.

But, to the point of today's musings - the sidewalk on Dean Street by Angelo's Restaurant. One business owner has told me that this problem has persisted for more than 20 years. As recently as 2 1/2 years ago I was told that a deal had been struck with Angelo to provide lidded, wheeled containers for the restaurant's trash. And here they are...

A number of questions, if you please - - -

Why is trash put out on Sunday before 6:00PM?

Why are trash containers and boxes placed three deep, blocking two-thirds of the sidewalk?

Why don't containers have lids?

Why are containers filled to overflowing?

Why isn't trash put out early in the morning, shortly before Marengo Disposal shows up? Or at least late in the evening, perhaps just before the last employees leave?

It's time for Woodstock government to bring negotiations to a conclusion and to act on behalf of 20,000+ Woodstock residents and protect the investment being made by the City (the People!) on the Square and by all the merchants to bring business to Woodstock and keep the downtown alive.

The Woodstock Chamber of Commerce and the Woodstock Downtown Business Association should form ranks with the City to eliminate this problem, once and for all.
© 2008 GUS PHILPOTT

3 comments:

La tee da said...

It's cardboard boxes!! I could understand your frustrations if the garbage bags were outside of the garbage cans where raccoons and the homeless could tear into them, but cardboard? I am going to call the City tomorrow to see how many people complain about this. I'll bet you $100 (you can donate the money to your friend with the weird finger) that you're the only one complaining.

Gus said...

You think raccoons can't gnaw through the side of a cardboard box?
The garbage bags are piled along the sidewalk over by the corner bar at Church and Clay Streets. About 15 of them.

Unknown said...

so if this bothers you that much, why dont you buy the garbage cans for them so homos and hobos cant knaw through them. then i could stuff you in one of the cans.
dont be apart of the solution, just complain.