Capital alumni give back to the school in many ways. This includes one that has been spotted picking up trash around the streets near campus all for a bigger cause.
The alumnus rides his bike through the streets of Pleasant Ridge Avenue, Francis Avenue, Euclaire Avenue, College Avenue, and Sheridan Avenue every morning. If he spots any garbage during his morning venture, he is sure to collect it.
“This is not really about the trash. It is about the lights,” said the alumnus, who has asked to remain anonymous.
He is referring to Bernlohr’s new stadium lights that have been recently installed and used for the very first time this semester. The installation came after a long battle with Bexley residents who objected the idea of updating the stadium to this caliber.
The opposing residents formed the South Bexley Neighborhood Association (SBNA) when they heard about the lighting plans. While some Capital alumni are part of this group, many others are not happy with the amount of resistance the lights have received. Perhaps one of the most frustrated Bexley residents is the bicycle-riding alumnus.
“I started to become interested in the trash around campus in the summer of 2014 when I started to read all of those horror stories about the stadium lights in the Bexley news,” said the alumnus.
One major argument that was presented by the SBNA was the fact that the amount of litter around the neighborhood would increase if the stadium lights were installed. In an effort to prove them wrong, the alumnus began observing and picking up the trash he noticed while riding his bike around the area. The litter mainly consists of cans and water bottles. Still, he says, this does not seem to be a big issue.
“In the month of September 2014 I picked up six bottles and cans on Pleasant Ridge, Francis, and Euclaire,” he said. “This year so far [that number] has been two.”
More trash is typically found on the streets of College Avenue and Sheridan Avenue each day.
The observant alumnus also points out that a great deal of the litter blows over onto nearby streets from Livingston Avenue. Since this street is full of businesses and fast food chains, it becomes a popular place to leave trash behind, causing the litter to clutter the streets around campus.
The concern regarding an increase in litter is just one of the many arguments the SBNA rose during the Bexley Planning Commission meeting in January of this year. Still, to the delight of the alumnus and many others, the Bexley City Council voted in favor of the lights.
“This group created false issues within the neighborhood,” the alumnus said. “There were so many goofy letters, like it was the end of the world, when really the lights have caused no issues at all.”
The Capital graduate had a successful college career at Capital in the 1960s. He still feels a connection to the university as he sits and discusses what should be happening with the relationship between the school and surrounding community while wearing a bright purple Capital sweatshirt.
He plans to continue to ride his bike and check for trash until it starts to get too cold, in November. He also said that there is more work that needs to be done regarding the lights and the relationship between Capital and some residents in Bexley. He plans to be a part of whatever is set in motion next.
