STOCKTON, CA – Some old-fashioned complaining by Jewel Abraham kicked the city into gear and got trash cleaned up that had been littering her south Stockton neighborhood.
There’s more work to do, she said.
“I’m willing to do it myself,” Abraham said. “I need some serious help because its a big job.”
Abraham, a senior citizen, earlier this month complained to The Record that a vacant lot up from her Clay Street home had turned into a makeshift dump. An empty rental home two doors down swirled with trash.
Within days, the debris had mysteriously been cleaned up, she said.
“I don’t know who did that clean-up,” she said. “I am so grateful.”
Councilwoman Susan Eggman, who represents District 5, said she saw the story and made some calls to city staff, saying that Abraham’s neighborhood needed attention, or Eggman’s group of volunteers was ready.
“Get it done, or I’ll get it done myself,” said Eggman, repeating her message. “If an elected official can’t make government work, an elected official shouldn’t be in office.”
Eggman said that the lesson learned from Abraham’s trash dilemma is that residents shouldn’t suffer in silence. If City Hall doesn’t respond, contact your council member, she said.
Eggman said she had a team of volunteers ready to take action, but city workers cleaned up the area. It is ultimately every person’s responsibility not to throw your trash where you stand, she said.
“It’s common decency,” Eggman said.
Abraham said that the block she lives on may have been addressed, but not far beyond that there are lots covered with trash and buildings tagged with unsightly graffiti, signs that nobody cares.
“It’s so inappropriate,” Abraham said. “I don’t like living like this.”
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