In regards to shopping carts strewn around our city, I wonder if it would not be possible for city staffers who are driving around in city vehicles to stop and pick these up and bring them to their various reporting depots? We could have a designated area, call it" Cart Court," where these could be stored and where owners could come by and claim them a few times a year.
So what would be the storage fee? Well let's see.
How about a donation in kind such as produce or monetary to the soup kitchen or the food bank? How about we even publicize these good gestures as a show of collaboration and community pride from both government and businesses willing to help those in need. I don't know of many better ways to show we are a caring community.
Once a year, badly damaged unclaimed carts could be brought to a metal recycling facility and revenues could also be tendered to our food bank and soup kitchens.
Would it be that difficult to give it a try as opposed to levying a fine to a merchant? It isn't the merchant's fault customers are walking away with his or her carts. Now there’s a good example of transparency, accountability and cooperation.
Jean-Yves Bujold
Greater Sudbury