DAN CEARNS Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
KAWARTHA LAKES: People are doing more yard work at their homes earlier in the year than usual due to COVID-19, consequently the City of Kawartha Lakes has added a second spring leaf and yard waste pick up for this season. While a pickup was already scheduled for June, the City recently announced they are adding a May pickup. For those in the municipality who get their garbage picked up on Mondays or Wednesdays, there will be a leaf and yard waste pickup on Friday May 1st and Friday June 5th. Those who have a Tuesday or Thursday garbage collection date will have leaf and yard waste pickup on Friday May 8th and Friday June 12th. “Leaf and yard waste must be out on the curb by 7 a.m. and must be in dry paper yard waste bags. Wet paper bags or plastic bags will not be accepted and your materials will be left behind. Additional yard waste can be tied with string or twine in bundles of less than 3 feet in length,” read a press release from the City of Kawartha Lakes. In a telephone press conference on Thursday, April 16th, Mayor Andy Letham explained this was the best decision to help residents while also maintaining physical distancing. “We’ve chosen to do this rather than look at opening the landfill sites at this time. A lot of people think we should be opening the landfills. I disagree. We are trying to stay with the provincial direction of stay at home, essential travel only and I’m struggling with a trailer full of leaves being essential travel or 50 cars lined up at a landfill site. Anytime we’re on the roads, we’re putting ourselves and others at risk,” he said.