Talking garbage about the 95 gallon carts in Corbin

Let’s talk garbage! The City of Corbin has been distributing new 95 gallon garbage carts to residents and businesses. This is a big job that will take a few weeks. Many of you have already received the carts and are wondering what to do with your old cans and asking questions about the new carts. The city will be sending you information about them.

Don Estep is publisher of the News Journal.

I will try to help answer some of your questions. Each resident will receive one cart by the end of January. The Public Works Department will assist those who cannot roll out their garbage cart and if you don’t generate enough garbage to fill this size can, call them at 523-6530 to make arrangements. The people who do this are very nice and accommodating. On several occasions I have called for a pickup of waste and they have been very good to pick it up in a timely manner. (Give those guys a raise!)

If you want the city to haul away your old garbage cans just spray an X on the lid or leave a note to haul it off.

I have talked to several people whose anxiety level has risen because they felt they would have problems with the new carts. The carts are very big and that is why the city is offering help to those who may have a problem. But the new carts are a very good thing for all of us.

Hopefully, the new carts will eliminate the eyesores of many cans that are overflowing and become scattered when the wind blows. If you can’t fit your garbage in these carts, you probably have too much garbage.

It is understandable that some may have other problems, like where to place the cart. At my sister’s house I could not find a place that both she could use the cart, and it would be out of sight. We will work with Public Works to find a solution.

This is universal and not just a situation in Corbin. I have never thought it was fair that a person may have one small bag of garbage and their neighbor would have eight or nine cans and both are charged the same amount for pickup. We Americans have too much garbage and perhaps a charge limit would make some people cut back. But no, not really, it is not who we are. You know that mountain in Laurel County, the one which used to be flat? If you haven’t seen it you can smell it when driving I-75. It is our garbage that has made the mountain.

My neighbor and I were talking and both of us could put a month’s worth of trash in the big carts, but to do so would not smell too good so we will roll out that big cart each week with a couple of small bags in it. I control the amount of trash by recycling. You would be surprised how much it will cut down on your waste.

I commend the city for taking action to control the garbage problem. Also, their choice of a blackish gray color for the carts is outstanding. It took a while to get this done, but it will be well worth it!

• The Cumberland Valley Electric customers get a monthly magazine from the company called Kentucky Living.

In the November issue there is a remarkable story about Ted Hampton, Kentucky’s longest-serving co-op CEO, who has made a “Miracle” comeback from COVID-19.

Many people in this area know Ted. Before vaccines were made available, in mid-December Ted got Covid. His wife Margie, whom I also know and worked with many years ago, was told by a doctor, “I don’t think he’s going to make it.”

Because of available bed space Ted was transferred from here to Pikeville hospital where he spent 41 days. After that he was transferred to Rockcastle Regional Hospital.
Miraculously, Ted, just shy of his 81st birthday, fought back and he is on the job again at the local office.

Ted is a great guy and we wish him the best. The article is called, “Mr. Miracle has a Message.”

Ted’s message is, “Get the shots! Life is too precious to waste.”