Letter to the editor: City's street-sweeping resources are underutilized

The City of Sumter discriminates against select neighborhoods by failing to perform the basic public service of street sweeping. Some streets are swept too often, and some streets are not swept at all. One local street hasn't been swept in over two years, while another street is swept so often that the paint is being worn off the surface. Best storm water practices state that street sweeping should be performed at least once per year. The most obvious advantage of a clean street is the improved aesthetics of the neighborhood. Routine sweeping removes litter, leaves, sticks and dirt. Street sweeping may not seem like much, but a street that has been left unswept gives the appearance that no one cares and that no one is in charge. The City of Sumter website states that the director of Public Works is responsible for maintenance of all SCDOT streets within the city limits, as well as the streets that belong to the City of Sumter. The City of Sumter has no idea of when or how often a specific street will be swept. The street sweeping resources of the City of Sumter appear to be underutilized.

DAVID PEEPLES

Sumter