To the editor:
I am writing in response to a concern raised by a local citizen regarding an overflowing trash bin at a bus stop in downtown Edmonds.
Ms Sinha has also contacted my office on this issue and I took the time to personally follow up with city staff regarding our efforts to keep downtown clean and free of trash on the street. Our Parks maintenance staff empties the downtown trash cans owned by the city three days a week, however the trash can referred to in the letter is owned by Community Transit and is their responsibility. Our staff has been in contact with CT staff many times, requesting that they address this issue either with a larger can or more pick ups per week and the problem continues, primarily in the summer.
Ms. Sinha raises a good point about residents taking responsibility to help our staff keep streets clean and I thank her for taking the time to clean up around her bus stop. In these challenging budget times it would be difficult for city staff to assume the role for Community Transit, but we will monitor the location in an effort to see that the area is kept clean.
Mayor Mike Cooper
The situation has worsened at the bus stop on Dayton adjacent to Old Milltown; the trash can, that had always been there, was removed several weeks ago.
I will confirm that Mayor Cooper did respond to my concerns promptly as he always does. I will be following up with Community Transit too.
It’s not just in Downtown, as it’s all around the town. The high school bus stops have the same issue, and the same by the Edmonds Park and Ride lot. Community Transit is not maintaining a timely clean-up schedule and so we get this mess.