Published: April 23, 2008 02:24 am            

WHAT'S YOUR PROBLEM: Main St. restaurant's sidewalks a concern

Garbage from a Main Street restaurant apparently is leaving behind a residue on sidewalks, which is bothering some pedestrians who pass by.

After garbage pickup, the sidewalks in front of Main Moon Chinese Restaurant have had either debris or some kind of substance left behind. Some residents are not happy about having to walk around to avoid contact with the residue.

“It’s a mess it leaves behind,” said Lockport resident Gloria Evereth. “It’s a big mess and people can’t get around.”

She described the residue as a sludge or slime left over from the garbage. Most of the garbage is food-related, and animal bones have also been seen there on the ground, she said.

Evereth takes her daughter to the Lockport City Ballet, which is located above Main Moon. Its doorway is right next to the main entrance of the restaurant. Evereth said the problem has occurred ever since her daughter began dancing at the Lockport City Ballet. The last time they went, the sidewalks were covered with some kind of sludge, Evereth said.

“We had to walk in the street,” she said. “You don’t want to step in it. The garbage that’s dumped there is melted.”

She added other students at Lockport City Ballet have complained about the sidewalks.

Garbage is collected on Main Street on Monday through Friday, and every day during the summer, said Parks and Highways Superintendent Michael Hoffman. However, keeping sidewalks clean is the responsibility of the business owner, said Steve Niziol, a community services aide who polices garbage violations.

“If people put out their garbage properly, then there isn’t any problem,” Hoffman said.

Main Moon’s owner, Jenny Wang, said there have not been any customer complaints about the sidewalks. But she did say it would be taken care of.

“It will get clean,” she said.

An employee was seen Tuesday afternoon cleaning the sidewalks in front of the restaurant.

Contact reporter Joe Olenickat 439-9222, ext. 6241.

        

• Click to discuss this story with other readers on our forums.