Comment: Upset Neighbor of Recycling Center Draws Debate

El Cerrito seems to have few, if any, sacred cows, though the city's successful Recycling Center seems to enjoy an unusually high degree of civic pride. So it's not surprising that a guest column by an upset neighbor of the facility, "," generated a reader debate and a wide variety of viewpoints, several of which struck us as candidates for our "Comment of the Week."

We chose one by Kari Jones, not because we necessarily agree or regard it as the "best," but because we think it reflects several of the issues that arose in what appears to be a clash between two things we all place a high value on: a successful municipal recycling center and a tranquil home free from noxious fumes and rude strangers.

Kari Jones' comment, posted Jan. 25:

I find it disheartening that Jay's comments are dubbed "whining" and some folks have suggested he just move out of our community. Why? So someone else can move in and be subjected to to the same indignities? Every real nuisance he outlines is preventable with a modicum of courtesy and attention. Idling drivers need to follow the established laws and after-hours scroungers, who aren't doing ANYONE any favors, should be confronted by law enforcement. I feel for you Jay. I used to live next to People's Park in Berkeley and constantly heard how I should 'just move' because I 'should have known what I was getting into. Ultimately, of course, someone other poor sap moved in after I left and now has to endure the endless human suffering that those insulated from the everyday reality of the place are ultimately unwilling to tackle. While solving the problem of chronic homelessness and the untreated mental illness that underlies it may be a bit too much to ask, dismissing Jay's rather modest suggestions of how to to fix the disruptions around his house seems to be setting the bar for common human decency entirely too low. I'm with you Jay and I'm sorry our collective good (recycling-yay!) has lowered your quality of life so much.

• Editor's note: The "Comment of the Week" doesn't necessarily reflect the view of El Cerrito Patch. It's chosen according to what we believe will be of general reader interest. For other examples from our "Comment of the Week" series, please click here.