Residents express concern after DPW director resigns
BALTIMORE — A day after Baltimore's Director of Public Works resigned, there is concern and frustration among city residents who say he's stepping down at a time when there are so many issues that need to be resolved.
People WJZ spoke with said the main issue they're concerned about is the city's recycling program.
According to the city charter, weekly pickups are required. They switched to every other week last year because of issues brought on by the pandemic.
"It's a never ending battle, the recycling and the trash," President of the O'Donnell Square Homeowner's Association Chris Lewkovich said.
Overflowing recycling bins line a street near Patterson Park.
It's a familiar sight ever since the city started picking up recycling every other week last January.
"It's unsightly, it's unsanitary, and it draws rodents," Errol Hooker of Baltimore said.
Some neighbors pitch in to keep things clean.
"The wind is always blowing trash, so I try to come out, and I try to pick up the trash," Travis Winkey of Baltimore said.
Greektown resident Chris Lewkovich is even more concerned about the recycling issue now that the director of public works, Jason Mitchell, has resigned.
"We're getting to a point where we're just looking for answers," Lewkovich said. "Just give us a how much longer do we have to deal with this on our own and to keep the city clean."
Mitchell said he's leaving the position for family reasons. But, his resignation happened the same day he received this letter from city Council members Yitzy Schleifer and Zeke Cohen, calling for him to resign if his department didn't resume weekly pickups within the next eight weeks.
Both the resignation and the letter were on the minds of council members at Monday's meeting. Some of them don't want him to resign.
WJZ reached out to DPW, and a spokesperson told us the issue is that the city's trash and recycling routes are too large and more equipment and workers are needed. She said they're working to recruit new employees and have ordered 67 new waste management trucks.
City residents hope relief will come soon.
"If we have a clean city, we have a wholesome city," Hooker said. "If we have a wholesome city, we have a healthy city."
Jason Mitchell will serve in his position until April 28 to allow for a smooth transition once a new director is named.
