Vote on Scavenging Delayed

A final vote on a measure that would outlaw scavenging in Hawthorne was postponed by the City Council on Monday night after Councilwoman Ginny Lambert raised concerns that it might discourage individual recycling efforts.

“I don’t see any purpose in fining people for taking bottles out of my garbage can,” Lambert said, adding that she often separates recyclable items from her trash so neighborhood children can collect and redeem them.

In addition, Lambert questioned whether the proposal can be enforced. She said Hawthorne police officers are already overtaxed without the burden of ticketing scavengers. “I’m not sure this (proposal) is well thought out,” she said.

A City Hall spokesman said the ordinance was drawn up at Mayor Betty Ainsworth’s request and was prompted by an increase in residents’ complaints about curbside scavenging on trash pickup days.

The council agreed to table the final vote until Ainsworth, who was absent from Monday’s meeting because of illness, can explain her reasons for proposing the ordinance.