It Could Be Worse!

Imagine if no one visited Hudson.

On a per capita basis, the United States is by far the world leader in municipal solid waste production.  Each of us is responsible for about 5 pounds of garbage per day, though some estimates are as high as 7.  And with about 4% of the world's population, we produce about 12% of the world's MSW.  It's obscene.

The public trash can near Prison Alley for the pocket park in the 300 block of Warren has essentially been hijacked by one business: Mel's Bakery.  It's the only place for their customers eating and drinking outside to dispose of their waste (unless, of course, they walk it up the ramp to the can on Warren!).  Rather than city taxpayers, Mel's should be providing a trash can for their customers.  It's the least they can do since they've basically hijacked the park on the weekends.  

Go ahead, use the park for your customers, including the benches.  But it's time for you to provide your customers with a trash can or two so that we can take ours away, the one that isn't being filled by Hudson residents.  And be sure to empty your cans when they get full, please.  It's a public park, so no garbage should ever be overflowing from a trash can, especially after you close for the day.  Maybe if you have to deal with and pay for the disposal of the soon-to-be waste you are handing your customers, then you won't offer so much in the way of quick disposables.  At the very least, maybe you'll offer a means for your customers to recycle certain packaging, like bottles and cans.  Wouldn't that be something to cheer about?  

Then the public park's trash can begins talking:

Sorry, Mel, this relationship isn't working for me anymore, if it ever was. It's time for you to be responsible for a change.  It's time for you to clean up after yourself like the adult you are, Mel.  And to pay for it with all that dough you make! I'm sorry to break it to you, Mel, but I can't be your free, personal maid service any longer.  I can't live like this, Mel; I'm feeling used and abused, and I can't afford it anymore.  But this is best for both of us, Mel -- I know it is.  You'll understand it someday, too, Mel.  Remember, Mel, I love you to hell.  Goodbye, my dear, sweet Mel.  I'll be fine elsewhere without you.  Oh, Mel! 

Why are city taxpayers paying for DPW to drop 
this off at the Columbia County transfer station?
Shouldn't Mel's be paying to dispose of it?