CITY ANNOUNCES SCHEDULE FOR ANNUAL LEAF PICKUPS

Zone and leaf pickup schedules have been announced for the Cape Girardeau Public Works Department's citywide leaf collection program that starts Oct. 28.

"The zones underwent some changes last year, and will remain the same this year," Street Superintendent Emmett Baker said. "Leaves will be picked up twice in each zone during the pickup period, which runs through Dec. 20."

Leaves should be placed by the edge of the pavement or at the curb line for the pickup, said Baker, who estimated that about 85 percent of the city's residents take advantage of the leaf program.

Baker said small amounts of leaves could be bagged and placed out by the curb for regular trash pickup, provided that the number of bags doesn't exceed the normal three-bag limit per household.

The city has been divided into four zones and crews will be spending a week in each zone.

"Zone A encompasses the south part of the city," said Baker. "It includes the area south of Broadway and east of Highway 61. Leaf pickup will start in Zone A Oct. 28 and continue through Nov. 1."

Zone B covers the area north of Broadway, bounded by West End Boulevard on the east and Kingshighway, Victoria and Grandview on the west. It includes Lakeview Estates and San Dangaro subdivisions.

Zone C takes in the area North of Broadway and east of West End Boulevard.

Zone D covers the city's west side, basically everything west of Kingshighway and Grandview.

The leaf pickup schedule is as follows:

Zone A: Oct. 28 to Nov. 1 and Nov. 25-29.

Zone B: Nov. 4-8 and Dec. 2-6.

Zone C: Nov. 11-15 and Dec. 9-13.

Zone D: Nov. 18-22 and Dec. 16-20.

Baker said Cape Girardeau residents are encouraged to mulch or compact leaves and yard waste if possible.

"Many residents request the mulched yard wastes for their gardens," said Baker. "New, state solid-waste regulations prohibit the city from depositing leaves at the landfill."

The leaf machines mulch the leaves and they are hauled to area property owners who have requested them for mulch, said Baker. "Anyone wanting leaves for mulch should contact the Public Works Department, 334-9151," he said.

Last year the department picked up a total of 1,500 truck loads of leaves. The bulk of the leaves were stockpiled and given to residents and area farmers for mulch.

Baker said that some residents burned their leaves.

"Cape Girardeau residents can burn their leaves and garden trimmings without a burning permit between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. daily," said Max Jauch, assistant fire chief for Cape Girardeau. But he cautioned homeowners that leaves must not be burned on city streets.

"The burning must be done on private property," he said.

At Jackson, residents can also burn their leaves without a permit.

"We don't issue a fire permit. All we ask is that it be a `watchful' fire," said Gary Niswonger, Jackson fire chief. "People burning leaves should have a garden hose and other tools around to help put out the fire in case it gets out of hand."

Niswonger also recommended that the fire department be notified of where leaves are burning. "We've always had good cooperation from the people here," he said.