We have that problem along the Seawall in Morris Cove. Narrow road with nowhere to pull the car over and get out to remove the bins that are blocking the driveway. A simple call to Public Works politely explaining the situation always results in better decision making by the refuse/recycle crew. Every year or so, when a new crew "forgets" to keep the driveway clear, a call or message corrects the problem the following week. PW does listen.

The employs of Public Works have a very nasty attitude, that goes for the majority of City employs and hired consultants ( applicable comment at the Independent , "A fish rots from the head down"
For many years I've watched them toss bottles and trash from their trucks , watch them do it on the way to Middletown ave . and do it while returning.
If they keep up parking that garbage truck in the middle of the road and walking into traffic they will get hit by a car , they half arsedly attempt to direct traffic.

The initial post is right: not only is trash removal (and street sweeping) done really poorly, but when you call and (politely) try to raise concerns, you find yourself brushed off or ignored (I left two message this week and haven't gotten a response).
How hard would it be for a good leader to set up basic incentives and disincentives so that public works were done well? How hard would it be for a good leader to make himself accessible to his citizens so he could hear their concerns and respond to them? The leadership--and the attitude from the whole team at public works-- is pretty sad.

Steve & Katha,
You are both right and I appreciate that I was allowed to vent on this forum. The flip side of this situation is that on numerous occasions I have given these individuals gifts of appreciation at the holiday time. I figured that, hey maybe they do not feel that anyone appreciates the work that they do, but I wanted to say that I did. I have had words with one the foremen on the truck and he "promised" that this would never happen again as he and another worker were holding back another guy ready to either hit me or "get in my face". This was about 2 or 3 years ago. I've made calls to public works when the garbage gets dumped all over my lawn and then gets blown all over the street, because what am I supposed to do, wait for PW to come and clean up there mess? I've given up on that dead end. So you can understand my frustration when this happens. I'm also not saying it happens every week or if indeed it is the same individual that does it on a rotating basis. Let's put that out there. If you dispose of garbage in the Fair haven Heights area, please return the cans and bins to curb side.
It is a job not unlike mine. You perform said job as instructed by your employer to your utmost ability. If in time that you cannot perform said job to the standards of the employer then it is time for termination. Any other employer would do the same. I don't look down at people for the work they do. I try and show my appreciation when applicable, tip a waiter a little something extra, give a carriage pusher at the store a cold bottle of water, call a retail store manager when the service has been exceptional, etc.
Pick up bin at point A. Place in truck at point B. Return bin to point A...Not return bin to points C, D, E and F in side by side fashion like bowling pins at the end of my driveway. Seeing this tells me that someone has too much time on their hands to be creative. Such creativity should be best served somewhere else and not on the back of a garbage truck.

Zach F,
I also work for a living, about 70 hours a week. Your comment about "Especially if they know where you live.", yeah well so does the police department. I made no threats to anyone. I suggest you do the same.