Talking Trash

My neighborhood backs up to a commercial area. As such, the residents whose backyards adjoin the commercial alleyway put up with a little more hassle than the rest of us. Noise and the not so pleasant smell of cooking dumpsters in the July heat are among the many extras that come with such a location. For the most part they accept it. A reasonable person understands why they're getting a good purchase price on a house when it's situated behind a row of businesses. Lately I've been trying to get the message to Deffenbaugh that KCMO ordinance prohibits them from picking up commercial waste before 7AM. According to my frustrated neighbors, 6:30AM seems to be the more preferred time for the giant truck to rumble down the alleyway and then proceed to lift and dump several dumpsters. I've contacted the owner of the shops three times. He has met with Deffenbaugh and they have given him assurances that they will obey the law and not come before 7AM. Unfortunately Deffenbaugh's driver has other ideas. He continues to come whenever he wants. 6:30AM this morning I'm told. I know in the grander scheme of things thirty minutes may not seem like a world crisis. But then again, I get cranky if I'm awakened even five minutes before my alarm goes off. Sleep is a precious commodity in our fast-paced society. The law is the law and our ordinance says 7AM. Period. I don't fault the property owner. I know him to be a concscientious man. (Disclaimer: He is a campaign contributor) He has met with and called Deffenbaugh multiple times. I'd say that's a pretty reasonable effort. I don't fault the 3-1-1 Action Center. (Disclaimer: I sit on the 3-1-1 Oversight Committee) They only take down the information and pass it along to the appropriate City department. I think the problem is enforcement. There is an ordinance and a suggested fine for violating it, but nobody seems to know who enforces it. The police? Yeah right. That'll happen. Codes Enforcement? They work an 8-5 shift. Environmental Management? Last time I checked they have no enforcement powers. For this particular issue it's going to take me getting up a little extra early tomorrow, picking up a large coffee from the Roasterie Cafe (Disclaimer: Not a contributor but they are displaying a yardsign at their home) and parking my car at the entrance to the alley. I'll make sure the message gets delivered. But for next time, it's obvious there's a hole in the system. One more thing for me to work on if I'm elected.