Bowser: Leaf Collection and Covid

[Anonymous]

Bowser thinks that the taxpayer funded leaf collection (crews vacuuming up leaves) could be dangerous!! Possible Covid transmission!!

From leaves. Outside. Picked up from crews - also outside. Little to no contact with citizens. So happy we can be "safe and healthy".

Today, the Bowser Administration, through the DC Department of Public Works (DPW), announced important changes to the 2020-21 leaf collection season to keep residents and DPW crews safe and healthy. This year, residents will be asked to use a “contactless,” more environmentally-friendly process of placing their leaves in paper bags.

[Anonymous]

I’m in my 30s and the massive, century-old ginkgo tree in my neighbor’s yard drops hundreds of pounds of leaves every year in my yard and sidewalk.

Bagging these leaves is BACKBREAKING work. I can’t imagine that the elderly can handle this job. At least with the previous system I could use my electric leaf blower and pile them into the gutter

COVID is just an excuse. The city doesn’t want to pay 3rd party contractors to collect and mulch the leaves. They are looking to trim the budget and it’s a lot cheaper to give everyone bags

[Anonymous]

COVID is simply the excuse of the day. It is great for everything. Not paying contractors to pick up leaves, ram through COMP Plan that is now cloaked in COVID language.

COVID will allow the Mayor to spend where she wants or cut where she wants without seeking outside approval. It can all be done in the name of the emergency. Meanwhile, she won't actually change anything meaningful.

Why aren't we testing yet in any sort of planned manner to get kids back to school safely?

[Anonymous]

Have you all called your councilmembern and mayors offfice to register your displeasure? Agree, its a ridiculous move. Meanwhile Im sure they are thinking of stupid stuff to spend $on.

[Anonymous]

The Mayor doesn't realize that the leaf cleanup crews are one of her better p.r. moves - they make it look like we have a functioning government and that it employs people gainfully.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The Mayor doesn't realize that the leaf cleanup crews are one of her better p.r. moves - they make it look like we have a functioning government and that it employs people gainfully.

Leaf cleanup also saves her money in eventual sewage unclogging that will be required. Pay now or pay later...and later always costs more.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The Mayor doesn't realize that the leaf cleanup crews are one of her better p.r. moves - they make it look like we have a functioning government and that it employs people gainfully.

This. Those of us that regularly have to interact with the DC government know the truth . . . taxpayer-funded grifting. Shameful that the only useful things they do are now cancelled - no schools, no leaves, what is next?

[Anonymous]

MoCo is still picking up. They came through my neighborhood last week. I would say less risk then trash pick up. People in trucks together but no carts/bags.