RSS Feed
|
|||||
|
EDITORIAL Exactly one year ago we published an editorial criticizing the city's Department of Sanitation for apparent harassment of our business. Regrettably, little has changed. Every so often, the Canarsie Courier is issued a summons from a Sanitation Department enforcement agent for lawful, yet questionable, violations. We have paid a few, disputed - and lost - others. More often than not, any excess garbage in front of our 1142 East 92nd Street office is windblown onto our property. Property owners are also responsible for trash in the street up to 18 inches from the curb. It is usually difficult to remove because of vehicles parked on it. According to city regulations, if you can't place your foot between the parked vehicle and the curb, you cannot be fined. Nevertheless, that rule doesn't seem to work with spiteful enforcement agents with attitudes. It seems more logical - though probably not compatible with the Sanitation Department schedule - for agents to give our area the once-over when alternate side of the street parking prohibits vehicles from the west side of East 92 Street and is accessible for sweeping. Last week a Sanit agent paid us a visit and was prepared to issue a summons for trash at the curb that was impossible to remove because most of it was under the wheels of a parked vehicle that abutted the curb, but suddenly left without dispensing the ticket. As a conscientious community newspaper since 1921, the Courier is aware of its responsibility to properly maintain its property and keep it free of litter. However, when it is windblown and ends up in front of the building, as a result of negligence by others, it seems unwarranted to fine law-abiding merchants. We have contacted the Department of Sanitation's community affairs office in the past to no avail. We have no problem with Sanitation Department enforcing city regulations, nor do we expect any preference, but we can't understand why surly inspectors are not directed to use common sense and good judgment when exercising their tasks.
|
for larger version       |
||||
