|
September 28, 2018
Waste Management held a food drive this week to benefit the
Auburn Food Bank. To kick off the event, bright and early Monday morning, I
joined the skilled WM drivers as they began their day. The drivers all exited
the shop and approached their trucks at the same time, and did the exact same
safety check. The brakes, lights, hydraulics and so much more are checked to
ensure that the drivers and those they share the road with are safe. As I
watched the routine, I was impressed by how well it was choreographed. I took a
short video to share with you – keep in mind that the entire safety check took
15-20 minutes.
I had the honor of riding along with Mike Fingerson – who
happens to also collect in my neighborhood! We weren’t on that route, but it
was certainly interesting talking with Mike about the challenges and the
benefits of his job. He has been in this profession for quite a while and is
proud of the work that he does. As I stepped into the truck, I was amazed by
how much equipment is installed in the cab – and it has dual steering wheels –
one on the right side of the cab and one on the left. As we exited the WM yard,
Mike was driving from the left side, but as we approached his route, he parked
and we changed sides so that he was able to better see from the right side. The
expertise with which Mike used all of the knobs and levers within the cab to
extend “the claw” to pick up the waste container and empty it into the bucket
on the front of the truck was impressive. After each pick up, and before he
moves to the next container, Mike utilizes the computer screen to note each
account and whether there was a container to empty or if there was extra to
pick up. That information is used in your utility billing each month. I think
we all appreciate that our garbage gets collected each week, but I doubt that
we every really stop to think about what occurs to make that happen. I have a
new appreciation!
I hope you were able to participate in the food drive so
that the shelves at the Auburn Food Bank can be filled for our community
members to access. I’ve said it numerous times – our community takes care of
our own!
On Friday afternoon we attended an Auburn Area Chamber
of Commerce ribbon cutting at The Reserve, one of
Auburn’s newest affordable housing options. The facility has an indoor swimming
pool and hot tub, pool table, library, community barbecues and other great
amenities for seniors (55+). They officially began leasing units in late June,
and are now 45% leased.
|
“The government is the servant, not the master, of the
people.”
-Thomas Jefferson
Friday morning – again bright and early – I was at Green
River College for “Breakfast Before The Bell” to support the Auburn Public
Schools Foundation.
The foundation was formed in 2011 and took a while to catch on, but they are
quickly gaining support and helping the students in the Auburn School District
under the leadership of Natasha Daily. We heard from ASB leaders from Auburn
High School about their time at leadership training camp. Their tuition for the
camp was paid for by APSF. The foundation provides support to Auburn School
District students in performing and visual arts; business; nutrition and
wellness; science-technology-engineering-math (STEM) and literacy. We also
heard from a teacher at Gildo Rey Elementary School that teaches special
education. She shared with us the joy on the face of a student who was in a
wheelchair and for the first time saw an adult in a wheelchair! This
interaction took place on a field trip to Point Defiance Zoo that was sponsored
by APSF.
Superintendent Dr. Alan Spicciati shared his experience as a
young student in a family that had what they needed, but not much more. He was
at an age where playing a musical instrument was an option, but the instruments
had to be purchased. Alan admitted that at that time, he had followed through
on very few things in his life and his family didn’t have the funding to buy a
trumpet that he probably wouldn’t play for more than a few months! Fortunately
his school had several musical instruments that could be loaned to students.
His mother called and asked if there were any trumpets. Unfortunately, there
weren’t any, but the teacher said that they had a baritone horn that was “very
similar.” Well, according to Alan, it is not similar in any way except that
both have three valves! Much to his and his family’s surprise and delight, he did
stick with the baritone horn, went on to major in music in college – where he
met his wife Shannon who he calls “the real musician in the family!” FYI – Shannon does perform in the Auburn Symphony Orchestra.
Alan shared that story because the foundation has provided $5,000 for the Music
For Life program in the district. Who knows, we might have some great musicians
in our schools that simply need that opportunity to access a musical
instrument.
Have you noticed that those repaving projects that had been
delayed by a strike (fortunately it has been settled) are now being completed?
We definitely understand that the construction has been an imposition and at
times very frustrating, and we appreciate your patience! I promise, the
completed projects are definitely worth it, and I appreciate the dedicated
professionalism of our City team as well as the contractors that we have used.
|
