“Extra – Extra!” – get your trash off of our properties!
by Bill Dusty
For the past several months, now, I – like many other residents – have been the unwanting recipient of those little pink/purple “Extra” baggies being tossed onto my lawn or driveway, courtesy of the Republican Newspapers. I had been told that, sheesh, all I have to do is ask them to please stop, and they will stop littering my property. But is that really what we taxpayers have to do to stop littering? Ask the perpetrators to please stop?
The baggies are not only tossed onto the properties of folks who don’t subscribe to the Republican, but they are also left on vacant properties – for God knows who to pick up. (Well, actually, they don’t get picked up. They just kind’a rot there.)
Do you think the folks who live in this house will be reading their copy of “Extra!”?
The latest exciting issue of “Extra!” – circled in red – is left along with past issues, which are themselves rotting in the driveway of a vacant, burned-out property.
Mary Serreze, over at Northampton Media, has written about this issue several times as angry residents in other communities in Western Massachusetts have risen up in opposition to the Republican’s spamming ways.
Here in the South End, where my frustrations with litter and living in the ghetto have about reached the boiling point, I live across the street from an absentee landlord whose burned-out, garbage-ridden duplex has been rotting away for the past year – but that still hasn’t stopped the Republican from each Thursday tossing “Extras” onto the trash-strewn driveway of that long-vacant property.
Below is the text of my letter to city leaders detailing my discontent with this issue.
For the past few months, now, I have had to deal with the Republican Newspapers policy of dumping their unwanted trash on my property. I do not subscribe to the Republican, and never made any request to have their material delivered to my home. I have been told that “all I have to do” is contact the Republican and let them know that I don’t want their trash on my driveway, and they will stop littering my property with it. (Something I later learned from others does not always work.)
Is that what the taxpayers of this city have to do to stop illegal littering? ASK the perpetrators to stop? Or is there, in fact, an ordinance that prohibits such actions?
As I recall, the latter is the case. In fact, I will cite the specific ordinance: It is Title 7, Chapter 7.16, Paragraph E:
E. Litter Thrown by Persons in Vehicle. No person, while a driver or passenger in a vehicle, shall throw or deposit litter upon any street or any other public place within the city, or upon private premises [emphasis mine].
Paragraph O. of the same ordinance would appear to exempt newspapers – but only so long as they cannot be “carried or deposited by the elements upon any sidewalk, street, alley, or other public place or upon any private property.”
The Republican could clearly care less where their little pink baggies end up. And I don’t think the spirit of the ordinance meant that a newspaper could litter anyone’s property as they please. Furthermore, they are not dumping their baggies to deliver news, they’re dumping them to deliver advertising. That’s not a public service. That’s spam.
The Republican’s actions are not only the acts of an arrogant, irresponsible company, they also fly in the face of a city that insists it is trying to make Springfield a better, cleaner place to live. The Republican is one of the most flagrant routine corporate violators of the littering laws of this city. And their argument that all city residents have to do is request they stop the dumping ignores the fact that the Republican doesn’t even care if anyone even LIVES on the property that gets their garbage. The house I live across the street from on Adams Street has been burned out and empty since the winter of 2008-2009. Yet the Republican has had their “bag man” tossing “Extras” onto the driveway for months, now. It is obvious from the littered driveway that nobody lives there (not to mention the two buildings there that are boarded up), yet still the Republican delivery boy tosses baggies onto the property each Thursday. It is bad enough that we have to deal with regular illegal dumping and the constant refuse that comes with living in a ghetto community that the city could care less about, we do not need an arrogant newspaper company tossing their litter on our properties.
I am not the least bit interested in the fact that the Republican has paid advertisers that they need to accommodate. They can accommodate them on their subscribers’ properties. They should, by law, only be allowed to toss those baggies onto the lawns of subscribers, not the general public. Just because they are a big newspaper does not mean they should have special privilege when it comes to tossing trash around. Yes, we get advertising in our mailboxes, but they are IN OUR MAILBOXES, postage paid and not littered across our lawns. And we have also REQUESTED postal mail service, unlike the Republican’s unrequested litter.
The Republican, furthermore, is NOT the Post Office. They are a private, for-profit company that dumps their trash on our properties out of sheer profit motivation – and the City of Springfield has apparently decided they are exempt from our litter laws.
I, for one, have had enough of this city kissing the hand of that newspaper because our leaders are afraid of getting bad press. By our own littering ordinances, what the Republican is doing is illegal, and they should be ordered to stop. Other communities in Western Massachusetts have spoken out on this issue, and it’s time Springfield does something about it as well.
See the attached photos of the garbage that greets me each day when I walk out to the street. It is a scene that can be easily replicated in any other community in the city – as well as in other cities. Residents in Northampton and Easthampton have also complained about the Republican’s littering practices.
The Republican should be required to pick up the trash on the property across my street or be FINED – like anyone else – for littering and illegal dumping. And they should be told that no further unsolicited dumping of their baggies will be tolerated by this city. And, finally, if anyone continues to insist that our City ordinances allow for such practices – and so, “oh well we have to let them do it” – then all that means to me is that it’s time to change that ordinance, and so make it clear to the Republican and anyone else that the tossing unsolicited material onto private property is illegal and must come to an end.
- Bill Dusty
*South End resident and homeowner (for now).
*Board Member, Keep Springfield Beautiful.
See more on this issue online at Northampton Media:
From January – http://northamptonmedia.com/index.php/archives/entry/purple_bags_and_the_law/
This next linked report is enlightening, as it shows representatives saying that “Extras” are not delivered where there are copies from the previous week still on the property – a clear lie - http://northamptonmedia.com/index.php/archives/entry/residents_meet_with_republican_newspaper_rep_over_unwanted_extra/
And there’s this – http://northamptonmedia.com/index.php/archives/entry/purple_bags_8000_phone_calls/
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19 Responses for ““Extra – Extra!” – get your trash off of our properties!”
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When we had a problem with a landlord leaving his old couches etc on the tree belt for weeks, we told him if not cleaned up by a certain day, we would load them in a truck and deliver them to his front yard in the burbs. He knew we meant it and things were cleaned up quickly. I wonder if a truck load of these papers on someones yard, along with press coverage from TV would make a point?
Bill, I completely agree with you about this problem. Since you work for the paper, I’m wondering what response you have gotten from them when you have cited this ordinance.
Jim’s idea is also a good one…and would be even more effective were one to threaten to bring representatives of the tv stations and Advocate along with you and your load of “extras.” But his strategy also means more work on your part. However, if you really are in the mood for a demonstration, why not threaten to bring neighbors and media reps along when you return the “extras” to the Main Street door of the Republican, where this brilliant promotional idea originated??
Hi Sheila,
I don’t work at the Republican. I just write occasionally at Masslive. They’re actually two different entities. As far as demonstrations go, what I really think is ridiculous is that folks both here and in Northampton and Easthampton have to talk about “demonstrating” against a company that is clearly violating the law. These cities should be acting, not cowering in the corner, afraid of upsetting The Editors. I traveled around the city again today (Thursday) and took over thirty photos of newly strewn “Extras” that have been scattered all over the place, including along public sidewalks. That is a clear violation of the law. As a Board Member at Keep Springfield Beautiful, I am going to pursue this issue.
This past week the Republican had their “marketers” call my home asking if I would like to subscribe to their newspaper. I declined. They then offered me a 3 month subscription free. I declined again. They then offered me a 6 month subscription free. I declined again. They asked me why and I told them. They offered an even “better deal.”
After my 10th or so “No”, it was evident that they were not interested in listening to what anyone had to say , not even potential customers. It was their way or no way. I ended the call.
Need I say more?
I’m printing your letter Bill and backing all you the way.
Thanks Mike!
Solving the problem of unwanted Thursday throwaways would be a great way to start the spring clean-up season. Thanks, Bill, for calling attention to something that obviously has bothered lots of people for a long time.
To me, I think the worst cases are the ones where papers are delivered week after week to burned out or boarded up properties. Maybe the Republican should give eye tests to carriers.
Any updates on combating the purple plastic scourge, Bill??
If people want to email me with their addresses I’ll come by, pick up all the unwanted circulars and drop them off at the front steps of the building.
My husband, Todd Czelusniak – works with NorthamptonMedia, did go into a meeting with a camera- he is a videographer, committed to civic issues and concerns- (video is at link below) – the meeting was after a group from Northampton- headed by Cindy Bow (she started a Facebook group- feel free to join!) returned 500+ papers to Ed. See it all for your self!
Additionally I posted a link to the story on mASSLIVE in 9 towns- including SPLF. The comments I received where, rude, hostile, insulting, instructing me to get a life ect. No one on Masslive (owned by republican) cared- other than to insult me!!! Although the next day all posts and comments where removed and I was banned by MASSLIVE- can’t post anymore! Censorship!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=amI0u_KDWtA
also find it by entering Northamptonmedia- or STOP THE EXTRA
Thanks!
They are now changing the color of the bags, to throw the purple paper lookers off their track…just stop littering or pay the fines Republican!!!
Kimberly, sorry about MassLive manners. Most of those posters really are anti-social cynics and often even worse than that. Thanks to you and your husband for doing the video. As for the color of the bags, sometimes in Springfield they are red, sometimes other colors. Thanks for the updates.
And thanks to Guy for the offer to round up these awful things. I’ll spread the word, but how do I get your email address?
The local org., Keep Springfield Beautiful, will be issuing a letter to the Republican regarding the delivery of the Extra supplement.
I am so with you Bill! “stop the republican from delivering supplements” is a group on Facebook. about 183 members, with members from various communities. I haven’t looked at the percentages and it’s only 183. Northampton has an ordinance and they don’t make it easy to call and we shouldn’t be responsible to stop them anyway. Oddly there are none in my neighborhood right now and it’s amazing to walk my dog and see no purple. Maybe they think I’ll forget about it or something. Todd C taped our meeting at the Old Town Hall in Easthampton.
Lots of companies “clearly violate the law” (Exxon, Lehman Bros, Madoff Inc., Blue Fusion, and most barbershops in Springfield to name just a few), but unless people complain to the right channels and do things like demonstrate (or some crime happens that brings public scrutiny), the problems don’t just get solved by the company deciding to do the right thing.
What response did you receive from the Republican and Code Enforcement?
I found the most effective way to place pressure on the Springfield Republican is to take the “Extra” bags and hang them on the front of the Republican’s newspaper vending machines. That convinced them to stop delivering Extra’s to me. If everyone did that, they might just figure some other way to get their ads out without littering.
This week’s Extras in Forest Park were in red envelopes WITHOUT the phone number. Hmmm.
It’s not often I’m home during the day so I probably won’t have the opportunity to do this again. But a few years back, after asking the delivery people several times to stop throwing the penny saver in m driveway, I finally convinced them by catching them at just the right time and hitting them in the face with it when I threw it back at them throught their car window. Yeah, yeah, I know. But let me tell you something. It accomplished it’s intended goal when asking nicely hadn’t, and it felt damn good.
Bill, Brian here from the Elks Golf league. I have called the Republican 3 times to stop and they agree….I guess to stop for a couple weeks and start again. They also tell me it is a throw/drop delivery…I say sorry but our town doesn’t allow that only hooks and paper slots on mailboxes not dumping. Our neighbor is 96 and has a pile on the curb in the bushes…
The Mass General Law in full below
Massachusetts General Laws ch. 90 sec. 22G – Littering; suspension of license
Massachusetts General Laws > Part I > Title XIV > Chapter 90 > 1 > § 22G – Littering; suspension of license
Current as of: 2009
Check for updates
Chapter 90: Section 22G. Littering; suspension of license
Section 22G. The registrar may, after due hearing, suspend for a period not exceeding seven days the license or permit to operate motor vehicles or the right of a person to operate motor vehicles in the commonwealth of any person who litters, or who knowingly permits, as the operator, occupants of his vehicle to litter, public or private property through the disposal of trash or garbage from said motor vehicle.
So, at this point I agree it is SPAM and is illegal, it is not a news paper but advertisement so is illegal dumping therefore the Republican should be fined for dumping. We should site who is dumping the papers, send the license plate in and let them get suspended for a week… I’m with you Bill. Let me know if there is anything I can do. I will send a new note to the Reminder in EL as I see Mike Dobbs was going to put something in.
Brian