Why Have a Pretty Lawn and Ugly Streets & Gutters?

There is nothing more attractive than a neighborhood whose property owners take pride in their own property and the street on which they live.

But it takes just one irresponsible homeowner to turn the pretty picture into a mess. Dumping, or blowing, grass clippings into the gutter or street is a much too common practice in our city.

In the past week, we have observed lawn maintenance workers blowing grass clippings into the street, or discharging the clippings from riding mowers directly into the street. We have also seen clippings that have gathered at catch basins being shoved into sewer catch-basins.

If there are no present ordinances stipulating rules for the proper disposal of yard waste and grass clippings, there should be. One of the rules should be that the sidewalks, streets, curbs and gutters adjoining any property must be cleaned up during, and after, any lawn maintenance. Property owners should give clear instructions to anyone they hire to cut grass that all grass and lawn debris must be cleaned up and disposed of properly.

One solution for holding lawn maintenance and landscaping operators responsible, for failing to keep our streets and gutters clear of yard waste, would be to require any person or company who does yard maintenance for pay to apply for a permit. The City of Huntington would issue the permit and would require an identification number that would be prominently displayed on any vehicles hauling lawnmowers and lawn maintenance equipment. This would facilitate citizens' reporting illegal dumping of yard waste into the streets, gutters and alleys.

All property owners should make it a hard-and-fast rule that all yard waste be properly bagged and disposed of in a proper manner. The City of Huntington will schedule a pickup, if the yard waste is properly bagged. Call them to make contact with the proper department. Just be patient, as they receive lots of requests during the summer months.

Finally, anyone who does yard work for pay should have enough pride in their work to leave an area much better than they found it.