Clean up day?
May 29th, 2009 by 
Alica
Folks, I got the following request in an e-mail and I agree it would make a good blog topic:
“Let’s try a blog on why Brandon does not have a clean up day / week available for residents. All of the area towns do it, from Yankton to Brookings and in between and from Mitchell to Adrian, Minn. They talk about all the frilly stuff to make Brandon look good to visitors and or possible people who may want to move here, but how about taking care of the core of the town? Every one has “stuff” laying around, behind the house, garage, etc. I think its a GREAT thing that these other towns offer to residents …. Just a thought!!!!!!!!!!!!”
Sioux Falls recently had a clean up day like this in some neighborhoods. It was amazing to see what kinds of things people set out on their curb. Anyone was welcome to come and take what they wanted. The only thing I’m not sure is, what happened to all the stuff that didn’t get picked up? Did the city have to pay to have it taken to the dump?
How would you address that question if Brandon were to do this? The worst thing about most great ideas is they end up costing money. Who should foot the bill for this in Brandon, do you think?
I should point out that the city does offer free leaf pick-up days a couple times a year. People can drop off their grass clippings and rakings and the city pays to have it all hauled away. But the kind of clean up day we’re talking about here would be for other stuff. Old furniture. Lumber scraps. Books. Stuff that didn’t sell at the rummage. Basically, anything.
Posted in Uncategorized | 
May 29th, 2009 at 12:31 pm
I think a clean up day is a great idea. Many communities do it and it is definately nice for residents.
Yes, it would cost, just not sure how much. Maybe the city could investigate the cost and determine if it is feasible or not.
May 30th, 2009 at 7:17 am
Our city of very clean and not as trashy as some the have cleanup days. I guess I don’t see the need.
If a person has an old refrigerator, or water heater, the garbage people that are in the business can take these itmes. There is also a business in Sioux Falls, 1800gotjunk.com, that you can get if you do not have a pickup or trailer to take care of it yourself.
Why should people who take care of their trash pay for someone else’s trash to be hauled away at taxpayer expense.
May 31st, 2009 at 9:12 am
abc obviously written by someone who makes more then me not everyone in brandon is rich and can afford to pay the things u suggested
June 2nd, 2009 at 2:34 pm
ABC, aren’t we a community? Shouldn’t we help our neighbors in need? I don’t go to the library so why should I pay taxes to keep it available to those that do? I used that as only an example and it is not my main point. Point being: If we have a day where items that would normally be stored behind a garage or on the side of the house are instead taken to the curb and picked up wouldn’t that be helping you in the long run? It could possibly be done by volunteers and perhaps a trash moving company would also offer a collection point or somehow help with the take away.
I’d rather not hear the “It’s not my problem” attitude so often. Help out once in a while, don’t shoot down ideas before you’ve heard them out.
June 2nd, 2009 at 5:03 pm
It’s possible that the old couch you throw out is the perfect freebie for a family that needs a couch and can’t afford one.
I would like to hear from the city as to how much something like this might cost, and the likelihood of the city ever organizing such a thing.
June 3rd, 2009 at 4:59 am
Alicia, this may be something you would have access to check on. If I recall my memory correctly, Sioux Falls does clean up days every couple of years or so. When they do this I believe they have applied for and recieved a federal grant to cover the cost of the pickup and disposal. I recall reading this in an article at some point or another. Maybe the powers to be in our community could put their minds together and organize something like this. It would be good to clean up things that need it and also allow the community to take advantage of a grant, if available. Just a thought, and I agree we should all help each other to keep our town and citizens in good shape….
June 3rd, 2009 at 10:10 am
The city of Sioux Falls does it every year, each year is a different neighborhood. There is no reason why Brandon couldnt do it, and do not say it is a cost thing. Valley Springs does it and I am sure they have a tighter budget than Brandon.
June 5th, 2009 at 2:29 pm
It’s a good idea, lets do it!
June 20th, 2009 at 10:06 am
I think it is a bad idea! Let’ Not.