To the editor:
So, let’s say there’s this guy who has worked and/or owned businesses in a small town for at least three decades. And let’s say that this guy, without being asked and without receiving any pay, took it upon himself to help keep his and his fellow shopkeepers’ storefronts clean and tidy, out of the goodness of his heart, out of pride for his community. And now, let’s say that there’s another guy who operates the fully functioning town street sweeper, and gets paid for it. And the street sweeper guy wants to admonish, serve cease-and-desist notices, issue threats of fines, and find fault with the guy who is going out of his way (again, without pay) to make the town look nice for residents and visitors. And let’s say this has been going on for years.
Now, let’s say that this tale is true and it’s happening here in our town, because it IS true and it IS happening, right here in our town. How is this ridiculousness not being stopped immediately? Who, with authority in this town, has not been addressing this, and admonishing the street sweeper for wasting time hassling the kind gentleman who is trying to help?
Kudos and many thanks to Bruce Gould for marching ahead and being a good steward.
To another shopkeeper I know, who also tried to clear leaf litter from his and his neighbors’ storefronts, was told by the street sweeper to stop “littering” or else face a fine, and continues to keep his space clean: Thank you for your help, as well. You know who you are.
To the street sweeper, whose name I do not know, as it was unpublished in last week’s article: In a world where so few step up to help their neighbors and care for our environment, have you nothing better to do than repeatedly discourage those who go above and beyond to do what others will not?
Allison O’Shea, Brown County
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