“It’s people like you who are the problem around here!”
And with that the speaker turned tail and stomped off, leaving me totally perplexed and flabbergasted. What had I done to generate such a vitriolic response? I had politely and quietly asked him to remember in the future that the transfer station cannot accept plastic bags in the recycle bin
Yes, I am one of those volunteers who staff the transfer station to try to keep contraband out of the recycle bins. I also help oversee the TIOLI (“Take it or leave it”) tables.
I’ve been doing this for several years, and that type of response is unfortunately not that unusual for me, despite trying my utmost to be polite and nonconfrontational.
With these experiences, I have read with great interest yet dismay the multitude of civility problems being encountered by town board volunteer members trying to do their jobs. I just do not understand why we have come to this point, where board members are resigning because they are tired of the anger, and I am questioning my sanity in persisting in standing in the cold rain and hot sun and driving snow to help the cause of sustainability in my own little way only to have residents give me a piece of their minds. I would like to think that the people of Harvard will rise above this pettiness. I would hate to think that we are stuck in the same rut as our Congress. I would also ask that the good citizens of Harvard stop yelling at me when I remind them of the recycling rules.
Judy Wong
Still River
