Trash problem causing a stink on Jos. Campau

By Ian Perrotta
The answer, my friend, is blowing in the wind.
The question? Where does the trash go from some of the businesses on Jos Campau?
If you’re scratching your head wondering what that means, here’s a little background: When the city signed its new garbage contract, it was for residential pick-up only. As a result, the blue bins in commercial zones were removed and the businesses were required to contract their own services.
But some didn’t.
Instead, they have either been using residents’ receptacles or have been disposing of their trash in more nefarious ways like dumping it in the alley. Though there hasn’t yet been an official investigation into the matter, it’s a fact that has become apparent to several business owners on Jos. Campau.
At a recent meeting for the Hamtramck Clean Sweep, Virginia Skrzyniarz, Executive Vice President of the Piast Institute, said that near her office she was aware of one bar in particular that did not have its own trash bins and was siphoning services from others – when they were available to use. Otherwise, she says they just use the street.
That sentiment was echoed by Darren Grow, Director of the Downtown Development Authority and owner of the Belmont Bar. He says that the situation has gotten so bad he can only use his dumpster about once a week.
“As soon as the bin is emptied, the next day it’s full again,” he said.
The situation isn’t just an issue of beautification, however. Not having the proper means to dispose of trash is a serious threat to sanitation, and it’s a violation of the county health code. And though it seems that the solution is as easy as a code enforcement officer issuing a ticket, Marty Ladd, Director of Public Services for the city, says that isn’t the case.
Ladd says that the Wayne County Health Department is in charge of enforcing health code regulations, but they are overstretched and are not very responsive. He said that when the city tries to get the county to act, nothing happens. Ladd said it would help if residents started calling the county.
“What it really takes are repeated phone calls from the public reporting businesses in violation,” he said.