South 2nd Street garbage caper

Submitted by Suanne Z. Thamm
Reporter – News Analyst
December 18, 2014 12:11 p.m.

David Voorhees, aka Pajama Dave, presses city for action on downtown trash issues.
David Voorhees, aka Pajama Dave, presses city for action on downtown trash issues.

A frustrated local merchant appealed to the newly seated Fernandina Beach City Commission (FBCC) at its first Regular Meeting on December 16, 2014, to end the garbage standoff with Centre Street merchants once and for all. David Voorhees, known around town as Pajama Dave, operates Pajama Life, a retail business on the east side of the first block of South 2nd Street. For the past year Voorhees and a neighboring business owner have had to deal with trash dumped in front of their businesses by some Centre Street merchants who appear unwilling to walk the extra block to use designated disposal areas. Voorhees explained that merchants wheel their often overflowing garbage canisters to the front of his building, where often lids are left open and the contents are blown onto the street. Following his initial complaint, the city tried to track canister owners. Failing to locate canister claimants, the city confiscated the canisters. Voorhees said that the offending merchants then just dumped trash bags on the sidewalk in front of his business. He said that he and Ricky Pig, owner of Joe’s 2nd Street Bistro, are left to clean up the city street at least 20 minutes each morning before opening their businesses. He said he thought the problem had finally been solved, but this morning he found another garbage canister in front of his business.

Voorhees said that the often-overflowing dumpsters intimidate shoppers from venturing down S. 2nd Street and present the first view of the city to guests exiting the Hampton Inn in the morning. He said, “My plea to you guys is ‘what else can I do?’”

City Manager Joe Gerrity acknowledged that the city has been dealing with this problem since Voorhees opened his shop. Gerrity said that the city has talked with various Centre Street merchants and that staff has formed a committee to look into some possible solutions. Vice Mayor Johnny Miller acknowledged that he is also working with the group. Gerrity said to Voorhees, “You are absolutely right. People don’t want to walk to use the designated dumpster. It was put in last spring and is rarely used.”

Commissioner Pat Gass added, “2nd Street is not alone. There are garbage cans on Centre Street, 3rd and 4th Streets. It’s an ongoing problem all over downtown. It’s a problem we need to solve.”

Commissioner Tim Poynter asked, “Don’t we have an ordinance covering litter? Why don’t we just enforce it? That would go a long way to solving the problem. City Code Enforcement should be tracking down offending merchants and telling them, ‘If you do this again, we are going to have to fine you.’” Poynter did remind Voorhees that sometimes garbage canisters are in the streets in the morning because the trash removal service leaves them there. When the merchants arrive, they move them out of the street to their proper location.

Vice Mayor Miller said that when this issue first arose, he went door to door trying to resolve the issue. He said that he agreed with Poynter that the time has come to enforce the ordinance. He said the issue was similar to the 3-hour parking limit downtown, adding, “The only way people are going to listen is to get ticketed and hit in the pocket. Unfortunately, I think that’s the point we’re at.”

Commissioner Robin Lentz agreed with Poynter and Miller and asked the city manager for action. Gerrity said that the city would pursue the matter, but that it is not always easy to know the source of the garbage. Commissioners and Voorhees jumped in to say that the name is on the waste receptacle or the boxes contained therein. Gerrity acknowledged that was true but emphasized that the city is trying to change an existing culture. Many of the merchants do not have rear entrances, and they do not want to drag waste containers through their store to the back room.

Voorhees asked if it wasn’t hypocritical for merchants to be asking for support of local businesses while refusing to take responsibility for their own trash. Gerrity said, “I haven’t heard anything tonight that I disagree with.” Gerrity told Voorhees to call his office with any continuing problems.

Suanne Thamm 4Editor’s Note: Suanne Z. Thamm is a native of Chautauqua County, NY, who moved to Fernandina Beach from Alexandria,VA, in 1994. As a long time city resident and city watcher, she provides interesting insight into the many issues that impact our city. We are grateful for Suanne’s many contributions to the Fernandina Observer.

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Lovely Hula Hands
Lovely Hula Hands (@guest_25393)
9 years ago

I agree w/ Johnny Miller, ticket them & hit them in the pockets. They basically know who is dumping their trash on the street. confront them once & if they still do it, give them a ticket. Joe Gerrity gives the same answer, call my office & then what? Pass it on to some one else? Give me a break….

Johnny Jay
Johnny Jay (@guest_25418)
9 years ago

Good WAKE UP call from Pajama Dave! Take your own garbage to the designated area like an adult and stop leaving an unsightly mess for someone else to do for YOU – come on. A security camera needs to be installed and this merchant FINED and identified in the paper for everyone to see and decide whether or not they wish to trade with someone so despicable and spend their hard earned money with a person on the lower scale of the moral compass. I’d be willing to spot a night or two to nab this trash bandit and expose his/her GARBAGE DUMPING LAZINESS!

Vivn8r
Vivn8r (@guest_25421)
9 years ago

Agree with the other folks. One of the things that makes this community so special is the comraderie between citizens and small businesses, and the respect and friendship between most of the business owners. This behavior should not be tolerated and the perpetrators should be outed. I would definitely avoid their stores in support of the owners who actually add to our appeal rather than desecrate it out of sheer laziness and disrespect. The same goes for those who leave trash and dog poop on our beautiful beaches. Go live, work and play somewhere else.