Thank street department workers

To the editor:

Thursday morning began as usual.

I collected the garbage I needed to put out for the week. At 8:10 a.m., I discovered the garbage on my alley had already been picked up. Pick-up usually takes place around 11 a.m. So I left a message with the street department to find out if the schedule had been changed.

Shortly after I left the message there was a knock on my door. Matt Shauver of the street department had come by to explain that it was community clean-up week and that was why the garbage had been picked up early. So, he picked up the garbage and was able to place it in a garbage truck. He told me they would be doing another round of all the pick-up points again on Friday in case someone else had missed the garbage run.

I am so impressed at the speedy response I received. But I also want to thank the street department heroes who do their job so conscientiously day after day. I have personally thanked them and told them they are some of the most important people in the city. What would it be like if there were no garbage pick-up?

No matter the weather, blazing hot or freezing cold, they are out there doing their job. In the fall, there is leaf pick-up, usually on a weekly basis. I know that Fort Wayne only does this two times a year.

In the winter, our street department workers are the first ones out cleaning up the snow and ice.

The next time you see one of these workers, give them a smile and a big thank you.

Fran Austin

Portland