By Jim Hagarty
In my city, we have to pay a fee to have our garbage picked up. Almost $3.00 per bag or can. This was brought in 20 years ago to encourage people to recycle and it has worked.
But, of course, people who used to set out their trash for free are offended by this and so exercise a bit of civil disobedience in what is, oh so worthy a cause. They put their garbage in the trunks of their cars, drive around the city, and fill up all the city trash cans that are set out on streets and in parks for residents and tourists. Some folks in some very nice cars have been seen doing this.
Others drive around looking for the great big open green steel bins that are located at every industrial site. In goes the garbage. No charge.
And still others drive the countryside outside of the city and toss their refuse in the ditches and woods that abound in the area. There is one particular bush that grows very close to the road on both sides, not too far from town. In the bush can be found old furniture, garbage bags and other waste from the caring folks in the city.
So someone decided it was time for a sign. Garbage Watch in Effect. Except there is nobody watching. There is no video camera. And there are no farm buildings for miles. Who is this person or group of people who are hiding out and watching 24 hours a day for people from the city throwing trash in the bush? Are they being paid to do this?
It’s a little ridiculous but I have to tell you, standing there taking pictures of the sign, I really did feel that someone was watching.
Creepy.
