February 26, 2004
Thursday

Does anybody care about the amount of trash around Ketchikan? Do you look in the road ditch between A&P and Walmart? Do you like seeing the trash in the ditch from the Coast Guard Base to Forest Park or Saxman? Do you even see it or have you come to accept it as part of the environment? When we put our trash in the back of the truck, do we care if it blows out? Why should you? Someone else will pick it up for you so who really cares. You

One of the reasons we have so much trash in our ditches.

obviously loved your Christmas tree that you wanted to share it by leaving it along South Tongass before you get to Forest Park on the mountain side of the road.

I think Ketchikan needs a new slogan for the tourists, "This is Ketchikan and WE LOVE OUR TRASH!" Or how about "Ketchikan, Alaska's Trashiest City, Love it AND Leave it here"

It is sickening to see the amount of trash allowed to be left in the ditches after being blown out of the backs of trucks, from trash cans that aren't secured, and from intentional litterers.

In the past weeks a couch was dumped by the George Inlet Lodge, when it could have been taken to the dump for free. Do people get much dumber than that? According to Forrest Gump, "Stupid is as Stupid does". Well, Stupid, you will get to meet me.

The picture of the black garbage bag was taken on North Tongass last week. I issued a $100.00 citation to the owner of the trash. There is NO excuse. It is against Borough Code to transport an unsecured load! The three pictures of the large amount of trash was taken at the end of the road. The trash was picked up but it is going to cost one of the dumpers $200.00.

The picture of the small bag of trash was near Mountain Point, on my way back to pick it up, I had to swerve to avoid hitting the 4' X 4' box blown out of a truck. This occurred in the 15 minutes it took to get back to Mt. Point.

Please look at the picture of the trash in the back of the truck--that used to be household garbage until it was left in the truck for the ravens to tear apart. Now it is allowed to blow all over Ketchikan. I just love it, don't you?

Thanks to all those that attempt to keep Ketchikan clean. For those that don't want to be bothered taking care of your trash as required by law, you have been notifed. What you are doing is illegal and I hope we meet soon at my convenience.

Jerry A. Cegelske
Code Enforcement Officer
Phone(907)228-6621
Fax (907)247-6625
Check out our updated website at: http://borough.ketchikan.ak.us
Ketchikan, AK - USA

 

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