The Dog Poop Initiative – An Open Letter To City Manager Levitt
Dear Mr. Levitt,
It’s been a year since you’ve taken the helm at city hall and I’ve yet to officially meet you. You seem like a level-headed, straight shooter with a vision. Honestly, I’m certain there are a few city managers in this country that would have cut and run considering the current economic situation in J-ville. You’ve endured quite a bit in the first year – loss of a major employer, an ice arena on the fritz and a feed building that is crumbling. With all that’s taken place in the past year what has been your biggest challenge? Can I guess? I say sidewalk shoveling! I’m right, aren’t I?
Never fear Mr. Levitt (I can’t call you Eric yet since I haven’t officially met you) – I have the solution to your biggest challenge: The Dog Poop Initiative, A True Story by Kirk Weisler. It’s a quick read, but I guarantee it will solve the shoveling dilemma. Kirk writes about a stinky pile of poo left on a soccer field by a dog an its owner and the question Kirk poses is; “The stinky pile that they leave behind will soon be on everyone’s mind. But will anyone, in any group…take the initiative to clean up this poop?”
The soccer teams are all willing to point it out but they play the games with the hope and luck that they will avoid the pile. Pointers point and warn, coaches and referees discuss but the coach finally says, “It won’t be easy kids, I know…but we’ll need to watch out where we go. From that poopy pile we must stay away. But let’s have fun, come on, let’s play!”
I hope I haven’t grossed you out yet Eric (heck when I’m talking poo, I’ll call you by your first name) – are you ready for my solution? We need to find players in this town not pointers. Life is full of people who point. “It’s the players who take the initiatives who are the winners and the HEROS!” So snow on sidewalk = poop on soccer field. OK, a little stretch but the concept is the same and it’s easy. If someone sees a sidewalk that needs picking up in their neighborhood don’t point, play!
We can work on this together pal (you already seem like a long-lost friend). In two weeks, let’s bring this to the council. Instead of increasing the budget by thousands of dollars for additional snow removal spending, we can spend a fraction of the cost and send everyone a copy of the book. Here’s the best part – all we need is buy-in from 50% of the citizens and the sidewalks are clean!
In all seriousness, I never understood the controversy between 2 or 3 inches of snow or who should clean it up. If my grandpa’s neighbor on Eisenhower Avenue needed a plow, he did it. While growing up, if our neighbors on Beacon Hill Drive needed a plow or we needed a plow, it was done. Today, if my neighbors need a plow – consider it done. The same goes for my neighbors. There’s been more than one time a neighbor has made the start to my work commute a pleasant one with a clean driveway and sidewalk. That’s just what we do.
So, Mr. Levitt, I’m certain there are more players than pointers in Janesville. -- the one’s to find something to use as a scoop, then head over and clean up the…snow.
Thanks for reading and let me know if you need help on the whole ice arena thing. I just watched Slap Shot and have a few ideas.
Your friend,
Steve Gen X in J-ville
Steve Knox was born, raised and landed back in Janesville. He encourages you to participate as he writes on Janesville and beyond as this Generation X guy supports his Janesville mission, global vision. Steve is a community blogger and is not a part of Janesville Gazette staff. His opinion is not necessarily that of the Janesville Gazette staff or management.
Nov 14, 2009 at 5:57 a.m.
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"Be the change you want to see in the world": Ghandi
Nov 11, 2009 at 10:41 p.m.
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Dang, Steve! You're just as professional in your agree to disagree stance! It's nice to see out of fellow Gen Xers!
Nov 11, 2009 at 9:07 p.m.
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Zippy -- Now that's a new one. I've never been compared to any Star Trek actors. Localboy -- I politely disagree with your comments. Being a good neighbor means the whole package -- snow shoveling once in a while, paper pick up, stopping by just to say hi, razzing with a good joke, consoling when they're down. Idealistic, yeah a tad. But isn't doing something for a positive end better than pointing and griping about an outcome no matter who you're talking about? Personally, I think so. Come to think of it, weren't you the guy who'd call the cops on us for walking on your grass? Kidding!
Nov 11, 2009 at 5:23 p.m.
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here is a lesson for all. when i spy or smell, the poo, i clean it up asap. when i see or feel, the snow, i shovel it up. asap.
p.s. there are people you can hire to shovel up both piles.
Nov 11, 2009 at 5:04 p.m.
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Steve, it's great that you have such an idealistic view, but initiatives like this also need a concrete path to implementation. I do know that some shoveling assistance is available through the Rock County Council on Aging and other churches and charities probably have their own shortlists of people who need this sort of help. But obviously that doesn't cover everyone. What would be needed is some sort of signup coordinated through an agency that volunteers could contact to find out who needs help.
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In the end the city's discussion was more about the importance of pedestrian safety vs. property owners who are more unwilling to shovel than unable. Those who are actually unable are more likely to ask for the assistance available in the first place.
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And I have a big honking snowblower, but I already have responsibility for four properties although there are a few neighbors I'd willingly help out (though they mostly don't need it) I'm not about to shovel the walk for the local ... non-prescription pharmacist. There are limits to my generosity. There are always going to be people who don't fit into any kind of communitarian scheme. That's where the city comes in, unfortunately.
Nov 11, 2009 at 2:15 p.m.
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Has anyone ever told you that you look like Charlie Evans from Star Trek?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charlie_X
Nov 11, 2009 at 1:06 p.m.
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I would like to think that this is a great idea, but most people who would have any kind of trouble clearing snow already have a support group of some kind. It would be the same people who have someone else mow the lawn because of a disability, age, or gone on business. If you look at the sidewalks that aren't shoveled during the winter, look next summer at who doesn't have their lawn mowed. Probably the same people. I will always help a neighbor out. I have one who will clear my sidewalk if I don't have time before work in the morning. I do the same for him in the evening or weekends. The people on the other side never do it. I do because I live close to two schools and would hate to see a kid get hurt because the people are too lazy to shovel.
Nov 11, 2009 at 11:33 a.m.
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In the small town where I come from there was a great group of caring people that called themselves The Silver Shovels. They were an anonymous group that would shovel or plow people in need driveways in the middle of the night.
It was the talk of the town for years. People would try to "catch" the do-gooders, but very few knew who they were.
I agree, Steve, instead of pointing, PLAY! It does a heart good!
Nov 11, 2009 at 10:57 a.m.
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Oh, Gabe, get over it! 99% of us know it's Janesville!
Nov 11, 2009 at 7:20 a.m.
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stop calling it Jville.
Nov 11, 2009 at 5:22 a.m.
Nov 10, 2009 at 11:03 p.m.
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Thank you, Steve! I love what you've already done! I agree that it's the neighborly thing to do! What ever happened to the days of our Gen X neighbors being neighborly? I love those days and still do it.
Thanks, Steve!
Nov 10, 2009 at 10:04 p.m.
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I forgot to add that I agree w/Steve, I have had some pretty horrible neighbors in the past...now we have very decent ones, and we have always tried to help all of them out. Even if you think your neighbor is being lazy, try and do something good for them, if nothing else, it might make YOU feel all warm and fuzzy inside!!
Nov 10, 2009 at 10:01 p.m.
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couchsit...lol, I just got done telling my family they are only going to be able to take showers once a week, and we only have to do the dishes once a month! My youngest who is 8 is totally disturbed by this and is afraid his hair won't look good! what a joke 30% increase?!?!
Nov 10, 2009 at 8:23 p.m.
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Hooray for angry comments on a blog encouraging people to be nice to their neighbors! Way to go, Janesville!
Nov 10, 2009 at 8:11 p.m.
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There is a difference between being a good neighbor and helping out clearing snow once in a while, vs having to shovel out a chronic inconsiderate, lazy, and irresponsible one. If you shovel the latter, you are only enabeling that persons behavior, and that is not acceptable. Those people should be fined and made to pay either with cash or elbow grease like the rest of us.
Nov 10, 2009 at 6:34 p.m.
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It was probably left by a person. With the new wastewater charges, who can afford to go in the toilet in this economy?
Nov 10, 2009 at 6:26 p.m.
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Well said Steve! Time to step up to the plate Jville!
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