The Walker County Messenger is increasingly focused on Catoosa county, at the cost of neglecting things in southern Walker, especially LaFayette. But WQCH Radio and Rich Gwyn do a spectacular job of covering city events, especially city council meetings.

The following from WQCH:

“THE COUNCIL ALSO APPROVED THE PURCHASE OF A “PINPOINT GPS” PROGRAM.  THE $14-THOUSAND DOLLAR PROGRAM ALLOWS GARBAGE TRUCK OPERATORS, ON THEIR ROUTES THROUGHOUT THE CITY, TO PINPOINT ANY DEBRIS PILES THAT NEED TO BE PICKED UP.  THE DEVISE WILL RECORD THE LOCATION BY GPS AND GENERATE A MAP SO THAT CREWS CAN COLLECT THE TRASH MORE QUICKLY AND EFFICIENTLY.  COUNCILMEMBERS SAY A LARGE PORTION OF COMPLAINTS THEY RECEIVE HAVE TO DO WITH DEBRIS PILES LEFT FOR LONG PERIODS OF TIME WITHOUT BEING PICKED UP.”

For once the council is right – the Sanitation Department does do a horrible job of picking up debris, limbs, couches, stoves, etc. from the streets. But their solution may not be the best approach – I think this more affordable solution (combined with one of these) would be equally effective.

The city could take the remaining $13,996.02 and rehire some one of its laid-off employees, have camps for kids at the rec department again next year, or hire somebody to throw dirt between the curbs and new sidewalks on Cherokee Street.