Recycling

I continue to be amazed at the steps my city is taking to support recycling and trash management. We have monthly curbside pickup of nearly all recyclables except glass (which as of September will become bi-monthly) and can take materials such as glass, aluminum, paper, steel, cardboard, used motor oil, fluorescent bulbs, computer/electronic equipment and batteries to multiple recycling convenience centers throughout the city. There is also a monthly disposal day for chemicals and paint, a burn pit for brush and tree trimmings and a disposal center for trash such as building materials. There is a monthly brush pickup, too, and you can schedule a bulky trash pickup like old appliances with a call or a visit to the city website.

This is only one example of services from city where there are benefits in living inside the city limits, and you feel you get something for your city taxes.

This program seems very forward-thinking for a medium size southern city with a industrial past and reputation for pollution. Add the fact that they employ mentally-challenged adults from the local education and training center for children and adults with mental retardation and mental developmental problems and you get an effort which truly serves all citizens of the city.

Kudos to the city government for their actions (and thanks for the Recycle Right logo). I have lived in several cities and towns in the state and visited many more, and I have to say that this one is the best of the lot. I was a little apprehensive when I moved here, but it has turned out wonderfully. There are so many positive things about the city - services, parks and public areas, a recovering downtown and growing tourist attraction base to support it, decent crime levels, affordable real estate and cost of living.

Of course, there are issues - any place has them - but on the whole I feel that the city government is trying to get it right. Recently, I have been dismayed at the perks and incentives they have showered on a company to entice them to establish a manufacturing center here , but that's not unusual. Most cities anymore practically give away the farm to lure a new employer to town. I'm just hoping that it works out and brings in ancillary companies as forecast. We could use more semi-skilled jobs and it might even raise my property values!