AJC Reach Continues To Break Atlanta Litter Law

City Officials Still Haven't Written Citations!

By Lesley Tanner, CBS Atlanta Reporter

 June 28, 2010

ATLANTA -- Six weeks after city officials told staff at the Atlanta Journal-Constitution to change delivery methods of their weekly "Reach" circular, the company still hasn't complied.

David Eckoff read comments on the Facebook page dedicated to the circular and those who want it stopped. Hundreds of members have posted complaints about the paper. They said it's thrown on their driveways, blows into the street and ends up left behind as litter. For the past few weeks, Eckoff said his street hasn't had those issues, because deliveries have stopped.

"If it's due to permanent and lasting changes in the delivery process then I'm delighted," said Eckoff.  But he said he can't find out for sure.  "It's particularly difficult when the AJC won't communicate with us," said Eckoff.

Eckoff started calling the mayor's office in May, hoping to discuss the city's litter law. Under current code circulars must be weighed down or secured to a door or porch.  Eckoff got his first reply on Monday, when a member of the mayor's communications staff called Eckoff, and told him the AJC is testing ways to weigh down the bags.

CBS Atlanta went to find out where and how the tests were being done.  A few blocks from Eckoff's house deliveries looked like they might be sealed to keep the papers in the bag, but the plastic was just melted together.

Crews didn't find any bags with weights in Kirkwood either.  Resident Jay Taylor said he's unhappy to hear the AJC is still breaking the law.  "I wish the city would cite them if they're breaking the law, and they should," said Taylor. "Little things that are allowed to slip by like that can build up into big things."

City officials wouldn't confirm if or when citations would be issued, but CBS Atlanta found out that for the past few months there hasn't been anyone qualified to write litter citations.