Guest column
Weeds, litter and Mack
Tom Adams
Earlier this July I was disgusted with the conditions surrounding the sidewalks at the Interstate 76 and state Route 94 interchange. I contacted the city about it and was informed it was the Ohio Department of Transportation’s responsibility. Soon thereafter, the area was mowed, but large, wiry weeds remained that engulfed the crosswalk signs. Embarrassed by the look the interchange presented to travelers and residents alike, and not seeing any initiative by the city to address it, I spent several hours over two days after work to knock down the weeds and pile up the litter. Not having a trash bag with me at the time, Councilman Dave Williams came the next day to gather up the trash. Again, a few of weeks ago, after three months of growing, the weeds had begun to overtake the sidewalks and sign posts. This time I brought a trash bag with me along with my weed eater, blower and pruners. I filled a trash bag up, but I left some oversized pieces of litter that wouldn’t fit in my trash can at home by the crosswalk sign next to the eastbound onramp. I emailed a city administrator that evening asking if someone could pick those pieces up. I haven’t received a reply yet and they’re still sitting there. It was a breezy day, and as the sun started to set, it became much cooler. As I crossed over to the bridge side of the west bound offramp, hands full with tools and a trash bag, a homeless man who was sitting on a milk crate, stocking cap pulled over his head and holding his cardboard sign, saw me and offered to move if he was in my way. He did. I picked up the litter, trimmed the weeds and blew off the walks. As I finished, I went up to him and reached for my wallet to give him a few bucks. I asked how he was doing as I handed him enough for a hot meal. He responded, “God has been taking care of me. He always provides.” I asked what his name was, so I could pray for him, and where he was from. “Mack, from Buffalo.” We exchanged some small talk about New York state, and I wished him well. As I turned to gather up my tools, I felt the Holy Spirit urging me to pray with Mack right then. So, I turned back to Mack and said, “Let’s pray right now.” I placed my hand on his shoulder and bowed my head. I prayed for God to protect Mack and to provide for him. I assured Mack that God cares for him and even knows how many hairs are on his head. As I finished, I lifted my head up to see that Mack had removed his hat. He was bald! Mack thanked me and wished God’s blessings on me. With the southbound side of 94 left to do, I kept thinking about Mack and chuckling to myself about the humor God let me experience in that fleeting moment with a stranger. I felt like I received the blessing. I finished just before darkness fell and went home. Since that evening, I’ve crossed the bridge numerous times. While I check my handiwork and glance towards the pile of trash, my mind always brings up Mack. The weeds will be back and people will continue to litter. These are givens. Mack, wherever you are, be safe, be well. God will provide. He always has and always will. Thanks, Mack.
Earlier this July I was disgusted with the conditions surrounding the sidewalks at the I-76/Route 94 interchange. I contacted the city about it and was informed it was ODOT’s responsibility. Soon thereafter, the area was mowed, but large, wiry weeds remained that engulfed the crosswalk signs. Embarrassed by the look the interchange presented to travelers and residents alike, and not seeing any initiative by the city to address it, I spent several hours over two days after work to knock down the weeds and pile up the litter. Not having a trash bag with me at the time, Councilman Dave Williams came the next day to gather up the trash.
Again, a few of weeks ago, after three months of growing, the weeds had begun to overtake the sidewalks and sign posts. This time I brought a trash bag with me along with my weed eater, blower and pruners. I filled a trash bag up, but I left some oversized pieces of litter that wouldn’t fit in my trash can at home, by the crosswalk sign next to the eastbound on-ramp. I emailed a city administrator that evening asking if someone could pick those pieces up. I haven’t received a reply yet, and they’re still sitting there.
It was a breezy day, and as the sun started to set, it became much cooler. As I crossed over to the bridge side of the west bound off-ramp, hands full with tools and a trash bag, a homeless man who was sitting on a milk crate, stocking cap pulled over his head, and holding his cardboard sign saw me and offered to move if he was in my way. He did. I picked up the litter, trimmed the weeds and blew off the walks. As I finished, I went up to him and reached for my wallet to give him a few bucks. I asked how he was doing as I handed him enough for a hot meal. He responded “God has been taking care of me. He always provides.” I asked what his name was, so I could pray for him, and where he was from. “Mack, from Buffalo.” We exchanged some small talk about New York state, and I wished him well. As I turned to gather up my tools, I felt the Holy Spirit urging me to pray with Mack right then. So, I turned back to Mack and said, “Let’s pray right now.” I placed my hand on his shoulder and bowed my head. I prayed for God to protect Mack and to provide for him. I assured Mack that God cares for him and even knows how many hairs are on his head. As I finished, I lifted my head up to see that Mack had removed his hat. He was bald! Mack thanked me and wished God’s blessings on me.
With the southbound side of 94 left to do, I kept thinking about Mack, and chuckling to myself about the humor God let me experience in that fleeting moment with a stranger. I felt like I received the blessing. I finished just before darkness fell and went home.
Since that evening, I’ve crossed the bridge numerous times. While I check my handiwork, and glance towards the pile of trash, my mind always brings up Mack.
The weeds will be back and people will continue to litter. These are givens. Mack, wherever you are, be safe, be well. God will provide. He always has and always will. Thanks, Mack.
Earlier this July I was disgusted with the conditions surrounding the sidewalks at the I-76/Route 94 interchange. I contacted the city about it and was informed it was ODOT’s responsibility. Soon thereafter, the area was mowed, but large, wiry weeds remained that engulfed the crosswalk signs. Embarrassed by the look the interchange presented to travelers and residents alike, and not seeing any initiative by the city to address it, I spent several hours over two days after work to knock down the weeds and pile up the litter. Not having a trash bag with me at the time, Councilman Dave Williams came the next day to gather up the trash.
Again, a few of weeks ago, after three months of growing, the weeds had begun to overtake the sidewalks and sign posts. This time I brought a trash bag with me along with my weed eater, blower and pruners. I filled a trash bag up, but I left some oversized pieces of litter that wouldn’t fit in my trash can at home, by the crosswalk sign next to the eastbound on-ramp. I emailed a city administrator that evening asking if someone could pick those pieces up. I haven’t received a reply yet, and they’re still sitting there.
It was a breezy day, and as the sun started to set, it became much cooler. As I crossed over to the bridge side of the west bound off-ramp, hands full with tools and a trash bag, a homeless man who was sitting on a milk crate, stocking cap pulled over his head, and holding his cardboard sign saw me and offered to move if he was in my way. He did. I picked up the litter, trimmed the weeds and blew off the walks. As I finished, I went up to him and reached for my wallet to give him a few bucks. I asked how he was doing as I handed him enough for a hot meal. He responded “God has been taking care of me. He always provides.” I asked what his name was, so I could pray for him, and where he was from. “Mack, from Buffalo.” We exchanged some small talk about New York state, and I wished him well. As I turned to gather up my tools, I felt the Holy Spirit urging me to pray with Mack right then. So, I turned back to Mack and said, “Let’s pray right now.” I placed my hand on his shoulder and bowed my head. I prayed for God to protect Mack and to provide for him. I assured Mack that God cares for him and even knows how many hairs are on his head. As I finished, I lifted my head up to see that Mack had removed his hat. He was bald! Mack thanked me and wished God’s blessings on me.
With the southbound side of 94 left to do, I kept thinking about Mack, and chuckling to myself about the humor God let me experience in that fleeting moment with a stranger. I felt like I received the blessing. I finished just before darkness fell and went home.
Since that evening, I’ve crossed the bridge numerous times. While I check my handiwork, and glance towards the pile of trash, my mind always brings up Mack.
The weeds will be back and people will continue to litter. These are givens. Mack, wherever you are, be safe, be well. God will provide. He always has and always will. Thanks, Mack.
