Let's thank the solid waste and recycling department

As I was taking my garbage/recyclables/yard waste down to the street the other day, I began to think about what our city would be like without the solid waste and recycling department. What in the world would we do with all our refuse? I suppose it would be dumped in ditches, behind garages, and along the streets and roadways - maybe even in someone else's yard. Thank goodness we don't have to worry about it. It is one of the things that our taxes pay for and all we have to do is get it to the curb.

We often complain about our taxes, but would we want to live in a city where we didn't have police, firemen, water, parks, orderly city planning, traffic control, sewers, and a multitude of other services, including garbage pick up? I wouldn't.

What if we all wrote thank yous to the solid waste and recycling department at 500 15th Ave. SW? Or taped a note on our garbage container or wrote to some other department in our city to let them know how much we appreciate their services? After their amazement, they just might feel good to be working in a grateful city. Why not try it?

Kate Hawkins

Cedar Rapids