A little while back, the Downtown Windsor Business Improvement Association bought a Dr. Gum machine.
Have you ever had a piece of chewing gum reach its end, when the chemical bonds break down and it turns into shredded rubber? That’s when the digestive properties of your mouth overcome the pliable goo. The Dr. Gum machine is like a mouth that chews the gum to its breaking point…except it does it in a matter of seconds.
The gum needs to have a chemical applied to it, and then a heavy dose of steam. Then you’re left with grey rubber bits on the sidewalk that need to be swept up with a coarse wire broom.
A lot of work for something that can be avoided.
I bumped into George Palmer from St. Leonard’s House (located on Victoria Avenue) and his volunteer, Carl. You can see them both in the HIGH DEFINITION video below. Before I go further, here’s what St. Leonard’s House describes its mission to be (from their website):
“St. Leonard’s House builds a safer community in Windsor/Essex County by providing leading edge crime prevention programs that enable adult offenders and at-risk individuals to become law-abiding and productive citizens.”
George and Carl are working in the 90+ degree heat, scraping downtown chewers’ gum off the walks. And to add insult to injury, there are several garbage cans nearby. But these two guys weren’t fazed. They were simply doing a job needing to be done, and doing it with pleasant looks on their faces. I guess there’s just something gratifying about caretaking.
Next time you find yourself in front of the Palace Cinemas complex (specifically Honest Lawyer) look down and notice the hard work that has gone on. They deserve the recognition.
Interview with George Palmer of St. Leonard’s House – Dr. Gum from Tom Lucier on Vimeo.
