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Emotions at City Hall ranged from disappointment to outright anger Tuesday night in response to reoccurring issues of vandalism and misuse of Ely’s recycling center.
Council members heard reports that city crews had to clean up after vandals sullied the city’s recreation center, and that trash including dirty diapers had been found at the recycling center.
After police chief Chad Houde reported the vandalism and suggested parents talk with their children about proper use of city facilities, council member Al Forsman weighed in with a more pointed mission.
“I’m absolutely appalled by what I have seen around here,” said Forsman. “One of the things I noticed yesterday morning was two of our public works staff who should have been out filling potholes, they couldn’t because they were busy cleaning up after pigs who had defecated on trash can lids at the Rec Center.”
Forsman added that “it’s not just money, it’s costing us the time and convenience of having a decent city to live in. We have to do better than this. There’s no reason for it.”
Mayor Heidi Omerza agreed and suggested that people call authorities when they observe vandalism at city facilities.
Houde said Ely officers will respond when called.
“Even if it turns out to be nothing, I’d rather have our officers go out and talk to these kids,” said Houde. “And we have had vandalism that’s not our kids. It’s adults that have done damage to our bathrooms and other things.”
Houde said that police have already made contact with parents about one incident of vandalism and said it may be time for a reminder related to conduct as summer begins.
“Kids are going to be out enjoying their summer,” said Houde. “But parents, talk to your kids. We want you to go out there and enjoy our parks and facilities and beaches. But when you’re using our facilities, be respectful. Don’t make a mess and don’t destroy anything. When it crosses a line and it costs the city money that’s when it becomes an issue.”
Harold Langowski, the city’s clerk-treasurer and operations director, said the issues aren’t new, and pointed to the discovery of “a bag full of dirty diapers” left at the recycling area.
“This is just one of those reoccurring issues,” said Langowski. “The frustration with what we end up dealing with, he (Forsman ) is 100 percent correct. Last summer we got dumped on at the recycle center on a regular basis.”
The end result, according to Langowski is “it takes time away from the public works staff and what they have to do. We have a small crew, less than we have in the past. When time is spent cleaning up these things it takes away from what we have to do.”
City officials also say they’re concerned about the impact vandalism has on residents and visitors.
“Our residents don’t want to see it,” said Langowski. “Our visitors who come to Ely to spend their hardearned money on vacation don’t want to see it.”
Police open and lock the bathrooms at Whiteside Park on a daily basis, and further vandalism and damage could prompt the city to keep that area closed.
Ely leaders, including Omerza, called the behavior “unacceptable” and pressed for witnesses to call authorities.
“If you see something, everybody has a cell phone, you can dial 911,” said Omerza.
