Riverview Park used
as temporary dump site
by Shana
Haines and Ivan Foley
Landmark staff
Platte City officials have stated that next year they
plan to change the way they handle items such as appliances
from the citywide clean-up.
On April 8, 9, and 10 Platte City held its annual clean
up days for residents. Many of the items were then dumped
in an open parking area near the basketball court at Riverview
Park and left for two weeks before they were removed on
Monday of this week, city officials said.
Numerous residents brought the dumping to The Landmark's
attention this week.
According to City Administrator Keith Moody, the items—which
consisted of household appliances, furniture and tires,
etc.—are usually dropped behind the city's wastewater
treatment plant where the city houses a compost heap.
The treatment plant is located in an area of town near
the park.
However, this year the items were dumped in the park.
"I would prefer the items not be stockpiled on the
parking lot," Moody said.
Dannie Stamper, parks and recreation director for the
city, says he recalls the city placing similar items at
the park after last year's cleanup.
"The city used the same site last year," Stamper
said. "They have to put the stuff somewhere."
Stamper said the idea was only for the stuff to be there
over the course of one weekend. The recycling company
failed to show to pick up the items at the agreed upon
time. He said at one point officials moved out a pile
of tires, but people brought more tires down, apparently
using the site as a landfill drop of sorts.
Stamper said the city put a "no dumping" sign
up, but it didn't stop all the activity.
Dick Stephens, chairman of the city's appointed parks
and recreation board, was reluctant to comment until,
he said, "further investigation" could be done.
"I do not know anything about permission begin given
for anybody to put their stuff there," Stephens said.
"I've seen it. It's not something that I think people
coming for soccer on Saturdays should park next to. If
given the opportunity, I think it (the dumping) should
not be allowed," Stephens said.
Mayor Dave Brooks said lack of available time on the
part of city workers contributed to the situation.
"We didn't have time to take it somewhere else.
When we have the clean-up we don't have enough time to
distribute the items where they need to go," the
mayor said.
"When people leave us with everything, we have to
put it someplace. We don't have ample room. We have to
use the space we have. No one wants it in their yard,"
Brooks added.
The mayor said that the public works department is busy
working on new water lines and keeping up with capital
improvement projects.
According to Leonard Hendricks, Platte City public works
director, the items were left at the park for two weeks
before Recycling Connections, a company out of Kansas,
come to pick up the items. Hendricks added the items only
should have been at the park for two days.
"(The trash) wasn't supposed to be there but two
days. This was not a normal thing," Hendricks said.
"We will do it different next year."
Hendricks added that the city tries to keep the cost
for the clean-up day down for citizens, that is why they
have Recycling Connections remove the items. The items,
Hendricks said, are removed by Recycling Connections at
no cost to the city.
Hendricks said next year the city will be more prepared
for the clean-up day and removal of items.
|
