It’s about the North Maple and Great Falls intersection.

Editor,

Some drivers routinely don’t even slow down at the 4-way Stop sign, they just dash through it at 40 mph.

I live in the 300 block of N Maple and I often cross there, as pedestrian, more than once a day.

In the past couple of years I was almost hit at least 7 or 8 times. Now, as a “veteran survivor” of N Maple/Great Falls, I cross very carefully. Still, earlier today, I was almost ran over, again. What about unsuspecting, casual pedestrians, unaware of the danger?

This is not about parking too close to a fire hydrant or expired registration. It’s about human lives. This is a disaster waiting to happen.

Is it so difficult to enforce speed limits and basic traffic rules in our little city?

-Simeon Savov, Falls Church

Recycling Confusion

Editor,

A recent article in the News-Press discussed recycling in Falls Church (“An Earth Day Refresher on Recycling in the Little City,” April 20). While the article included some useful information, it neglected to highlight significant confusion between what the city says about recyclable plastics and information posted on the recycling contractor’s website (American Disposal Services, ADS). On its site, ADS states the following regarding what plastics can be recycled: “Plastic: PET #1 plastic containers and bottles, HDPE #2 natural and colored containers and bottles, and all wide mouth plastics labeled #5.” In one section of the city’s recycling site, the following appears: “All plastic bottles, jars, tubs, trays and containers with #1-7 on the bottom are accepted.” However, in the leaflet distributed by the city, takeout containers (synonymous with “trays”) are said to be not recyclable, despite the fact that almost all are #1 or #2 in recycling terminology, and also in that leaflet tubs are not even mentioned. Takeout food containers (excluding those that are styrofoam) and tubs comprise a significant portion of potentially recyclable plastic items. The city’s recycling contact person has said that the city does not use the numbering system because ADS cannot recycle certain items regardless of their recycling number, but when I questioned an ADS representative I was told that I should go by its website information that does use the numbering system. Perhaps the News-Press could do a second article on recycling that explains more clearly what is acceptable and what is not.

David Mccloud