It is funny how certain events stand out and form the basis of perspectives on things.
Way back in Grade 6, our class was essentially liberated one day with the News that chewing gum would be allowed. There were conditions, however. It was our job as students to be respectful. No blowing bubbles, no cracking gum or chewing incessantly to the point of being a distraction. As can be guessed, one student had to push the limit.
One piece, then a second piece, was pushed in within the watchful eye of the teacher. Even a stern look and a bit of advice from the teacher went unheeded. Next thing, the whole pack of Big Red had disappeared, resulting in a wad of gum so large to chew that it oozed out the sides of his cheeks. He looked like an old cowboy with a mouthful of chewing tobacco.
The result of course was no more gum. More immediately for the chap involved, his actions led to the last instance of corporal punishment being issued in our school years.
For those of us happier to conform and play by the rules than push the limits of good sense, the gum episode endures as a lesson in the affront of excess and why it’s important not to take advantage of privileges.
That story came to mind driving the side streets of Fergus lately, seeing brush piles as high as pickup trucks. No doubt, every community in the county has its own examples of residents that push the limits of fairness.
There is no question this past winter was hard. Between storms and yet more storms, tree damage was everywhere. It made a heck of a job for roads crews charged with cleanup. As local government is wont to do, offers were made to give a hand-up to residents dealing with severe damage.
It was requested that brush be placed curbside in neat piles and some locations asked for it to be bundled for easy handling. The majority of people have been very good and we think appreciative of the work that townships, towns and the county have offered. There have been ample numbers of people that choose to handle their own cleanup, whether it be on the road allowance or not.
In the most egregious cases, years worth of unkempt property has made its way to the roadside. Additional manpower and machinery have been hired to handle the overload.
That isn’t cool.
Like the kid with the mouthful of gum that just had to push the reasonable limit, the actions of particularly-selfish homeowners who took advantage of this cleanup offer could well spoil future cleanup chances for other residents.
