Jackson, Cape help residents with fall cleanup

Isn't there something about a change in the weather from hot and humid to cool and crisp that sparks an inexplicable desire to clean up around your home?

We turn to our homes with the goal of getting rid of garbage and making a comfortable space in which to hibernate during the snowy winter months.

So, just in time, the cities of Cape Girardeau and Jackson are responding to that desire with a set of events that cost both of them money but make residents happy.

Cape Girardeau had its annual hazardous waste collection day Saturday at the 4-H shelter in Arena Park. Instead of burying such items as paint and motor oil in the regular trash and endangering their neighbors, residents had an opportunity to deal with them properly.

In Jackson, today through Friday is fall cleanup, fix-up week. During this week, residents don't have to purchase stickers to put out extra bags for regular trash collection. Workers will take bundled limbs on their regular routes, but not grass or leaves. The workers will take one appliance from each home for free and take other appliances for only $10 each.

Certainly, this is an inspiration to get rid of all the junk that clutters homes and lives.