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LETTER: Garbage picker deserves a nod

Dear Editor: Here is a story seen by many through far away eyes. However, I share with you as seen from the human side. Many of us, including myself, drive down Hastings Street in Burnaby each morning making our way onto the No.

Dear Editor:

Here is a story seen by many through far away eyes. However, I share with you as seen from the human side.

Many of us, including myself, drive down Hastings Street in Burnaby each morning making our way onto the No. 1 highway heading west towards North Vancouver and beyond. Reaching for my morning fix of caffeine I glance over to see a short semi-bearded man dressed in beige pants, a winter jacket and reflective vest. In his right hand is a mechanical grabber for picking up paper and other items left behind on the on-ramp of the highway by some unconscientious driver. In his left hand is a used coffee cup relating to a sign usually found on the front of his chest and in some cases, in his right hand when he leans his “grabber” against the on-ramp concrete wall. The sign printed in a black marker reads: Retired. Please Help. God Bless.

Yes, I know. There are many panhandlers out there, but what makes this person unique among the many others is that he really cares that the area he panhandles is clean and presentable to the people who see him.  It is so important to him that before he begins his day standing out there on the on-ramp, asking for financial help, he gets up early enough to pick up all the garbage left on that ramp the night before so as it is spotless before he begins.

I have also seen him pulling all the weeds that grow between the cracks in the concrete in the same area because the wild weeds make his spot look rundown and unattractive.

I just though he deserved a mention.

Robert Butt

Burnaby

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