In Praise of Public Works

Today is called ‘Boxing Day’ in Britain. The day after Christmas is, to me, a time for clearing away boxes, paper, and other jetsam of the Christian holiday.

That’s not how Boxing Day began, nor does the term have anything to do with boxing the pugilist sport. It dates back to Queen Victoria’s time, when the fortunate would bundle up gifts and give them to the less fortunate. It also became a day off for servants.

My own transatlantic, American notion is that the day after Christmas is when the more fortunate families also clear away the debris of generosity, the leftover rubbish of our gift-giving, and toss out what’s finally left over from all the commercial excess when the fun is finally done.

So, what happens to all that stuff the morning after? That’s part of how Public Works is here to serve you and me across our city. And it wouldn’t kill us to be grateful.

When you think about it (and most of us don’t) the 400-plus employees at DPW do a staggering job, considering its scale: They not only help us clean up at Christmas week, but all the 51 other weeks, too. This Boxing Day is a good day for us to be thankful. Across Davidson County, as you read this, the crews in their big trucks are circulating dutifully, mainly quietly, always wordlessly, emptying garbage cans and recycling bins. If not this morning then whatever day is your street’s turn.

DPW is one of the largest agencies of Metropolitan Government with hundreds working while you and I sleep. And they not only haul away trash but repair potholes, fix broken sidewalks, mow grass in the rights of way, and much more.

With the holidays approaching, I caught up with my friend Mark Sturtevant the other day. He’s the director of the public works department, and Mark calls his people the “unsung heroes” of the community. He says what they mainly do is “help define the quality of life” for residents and visitors of Davidson County.

In October alone, Public Works crews picked up 12,950 tons of trash from 139,184 homes in the urban services district. They also trim tree limbs away from streets and roads, change out traffic signal bulbs, make and install street signs, clean up roadside litter – the kinds of stuff you and I either can’t or won’t do. They get up way before I do and work longer hours.

Today and tomorrow, when you spot the crew that works your street, give at least wave, and a kind word. It’s about being grateful, regardless of the season.

God bless them all.