May Poll: Curbside Recycling in Kirkwood

Recently the folks at Kirkwood Alliance (KA) held a meeting on the subject of recycling and specifically “curbside recycling.” The meeting was attended by about 20-25 people. About 5-6 of the folks in attendance were either involved in the waste hauling industry or they were from another community organization sharing information on recycling at the meeting. So, at most only 20 Kirkwood residents including myself actually showed up to listen to the presentation being given.

In attendance were some of the present/former board members of KA that I know, most notably John and Stephanie Burns, Ginny Garashe and Carol Gilster. There were a few other attendees I did not know. Also, I noticed Ellen Wentz was there. She has been involved in recycling and other issues over the years in Kirkwood.

It is interesting to note how so many Kirkwood community activist groups seem to overlap in membership given that John, Stephanie, Ginny, Carol and Ellen were also involved in the recent election protests of Kirkwood Citizens Coming Together For A Bright Future (KCCTBF). Plus, all of them were actively involved in supporting the 2003 K-Fair ward proposal.

One resident noticeably absent at this KA recycling meeting was Mr. Dick Reeves. Back in early April Mr. Reeves said in a W-K Times Mailbag letter that it would behoove the new City Council to enact “curbside recycling.” Yet, for some reason it did not behoove Mr. Reeves to come to this meeting attended by fellow members of KCCTBF to build community involvement in the issue.

But, Mr. Reeves was not alone. Many of the self-proclaimed, often quoted in the press “green” activists in our community (who are also members of KCCTBF & K-Fair) were noticeably absent. Chief among these folks not in attendance were Gwynn Wahlmann and Kathy Paulsen. Kathy by the way is the founder of Keep Kirkwood Green (KKG), former board member of Kirkwood Alliance (KA), co-founder of K-Fair and has some leadership role in KCCTBF.

This lack of participation by our community’s alleged “green” activists got me thinking about the issue of recycling. What is the reality of recycling in Kirkwood? My family uses the recyclery on a regular basis. A lot of the folks I know do too. But, do others? Is there a need for “curbside recycling” in Kirkwood? What do folks know about “curbside recycling” in Kirkwood?

So, I decided to add two poll questions about recycling to the site to find some kind of pulse on the issue. Until May 31st you will get a chance to participate in this Readers Poll.

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Please take a moment to answer the Poll questions.

And as always do not hesitate to post your thoughts on the issue by clicking on the “Comments” link below.

But, no cheating by trying to give away answers in your comments! We must protect the purity of this vital, all important and totally unscientific poll. (wink!)