Walnut May Close the Book on Directories

The city of Walnut is exploring the possibility of banning books--phone books, that is. The City Council on Wednesday directed its staff and the city attorney to investigate the feasibility of limiting the distribution of private phone directories.

The action was part of a larger recommendation to establish a citywide phone book recycling program. Councilwoman Bertha (Bert) Ashley complained that Walnut residents currently receive at least three phone books: the GTE Directory and two private directories.

That amounts to an unnecessary waste of tons of paper, she said.

“We don’t need three directories,” Ashley said. “It’s impossible to read just one.”