Dear Editor:
I would like to take this opportunity to thank Artie Strandberg for expressing his concerns about dog waste in his neighborhood. First and foremost, the Department of Parks and Public Works considers health concerns and clean streets to be a top priority, which is why we clean Highwood Ave. daily. Unfortunately, some residents do not clean up after their dogs. At times during the winter and when it snows, the dog waste becomes covered and in some cases the snow freezes over it. When the snow and ice melt, the dog waste may look abundant but we always clean it up immediately.
Our Department of Parks and Public Works employees are extremely dedicated and work very hard – especially during the winter when they work long hours in all types of weather. The winter is our toughest season because of snow removal responsibilities, but we always manage to perform all the department’s duties in a timely manner.
In addition, Charlie’s Basketball Court is used by children to play basketball during the day and occasionally by your neighbors who bring their dogs there to exercise while their children play on the court. We have never had a problem with dog waste on the court and have only heard positive responses from neighborhood residents. I think you will agree, Artie, that your neighborhood is far from a cesspool. You live on a beautiful block with good neighbors.
If you see someone not cleaning up after his or her dog, do like I do and politely ask them to please respect the neighborhood and clean up after their pet. If you would like to discuss this further please, as always, call me at (201) 319-6050. Thank you again for your concerns.
Sincerely,
Robert Barsa
Director of Parks and Public Works