There's an old saying, attributed to German proverb from as early as the 1600s, that goes "Don't throw the baby out with the bath water." In the Middle Ages, baths were not nearly as common as they are today. In fact, when baths were taken, the bathwater was quite often reused, to the point that if the smallest person was bathed last (the baby), a careless person could literally lose a baby in the murkiness of the overused bath.

When the bathwater was thrown out, this scenario had the potential to be a family tragedy. Of course, I doubt this ever happened and may be one of the first "urban legends." (Perhaps a "rural legend" would be a better moniker).

This phrase, as may of you know, is used as a parable. In essence, the author warns those who are trying to rid themselves of a bad thing run the risk of destroying whatever good there was as well.

There, now, in case you are ever on "Jeopardy," you know the origins of "Don't throw the baby out with the bath water."

I think the Le Mars City Council is in danger of doing just that when it comes to the annual city wide clean up. This past week, the council gave approval to changes suggested by the city's solid waste committee, to take effect next year.

In the past, the solid waste contract hauler for the city would pick up extra items left out on a designated day. When this was deemed too expensive, city employees began doing the hauling of items set out for clean up day, with the rationale that taxpayers were "saving" by having city workers do the hauling. Now, we have come full circle. Next year, on June 1, 2, and 3, 2006, the "free" cleanup will continue for Le Mars residents, who may haul items like those collected in the past to the landfill on those three "amnesty" days without charge. City crews will not collect items set at the curb as in the past. The city will provide a list of carriers that will haul items to the landfill for residents for a fee, or residents may haul items themselves.

The city wide clean up, it seems, is a victim of its own success, as well as numerous abuses. In 2005, city crews picked up 260,500 pounds of construction/demolition waste, furniture and metal in 1,147 stops. Some 159 trips were made to the landfill. It was the second largest pick-up since the clean-up days were started in 1994.

Charlie Eufers, public works supervisor, said a change was needed since there was a problem this year with some residents putting out items that could not be picked up, then leaving those items discarded at curbside.

If you do the math, the average weight per stop this past year was 227.11 pounds. In 2006, the city will pay the tipping fee -- the charge for disposal -- for up to 1,000 pounds per residential household at the landfill. While this is generous to a fault by the city, getting the items to the landfill north of town will be a problem for many residents, who do not have the means to transport the items. Sure, the city will provide a list of contract haulers that will do the work, for a fee, but the confusion that will arise will force many not to participate.

In the past, the Sentinel has argued the merits and debated the costs of the clean up. We all know that many items put out on the curb never make it to the landfill, but are picked up to be used by others. The new waste disposal carts now being used in Le Mars are the first step towards a pay as you throw system. I can't help but think it would make more sense to simply make the city wide clean up the first pay as you throw program and charge the people who participate. I'm sure there are all sorts of logistical obstacles that would need to be worked out, but it sure seems like that's where we are heading, so why not make this be a pilot project? That way, those that use -- and abuse -- the system would pay.

As always, I welcome your comments. You can reach me by email at tstangl@lemarscomm.net, telephone 712-546-7031, x40 or toll free 1-800-728-0066 x40.

Thanks for reading, I'll keep in touch. Feel free to do the same.