This is the end of my story about my dump runsP:

POSTCRIPT
Several weeks later when I was dropping off my umpteenth load of sand, I noticed that Ralph was calling people over to the window to talk with them at length. When I got up to the window, Ralph came out and told me his story. He and John were in danger of losing their jobs. A year or so ago, the City of Derby changed from having Union men operate the dump to using an outside contractor. Now, the Union was trying to get the jobs back under the Union's control. If that happened, Ralph and John would be out of a job, as they weren't Union workers. "It burns me up!" Ralph sputtered. "We've really cleaned this place up in the last year, and now they want to get rid of us!" We've made a lot of major improvements around here, none of which were required, and we didn't get paid extra to do it."
"I can vouch for that, Ralph." I've seen all the work you've done since you've been here." I replied. Some of the changes are whimsical, like the artificial tree someone left in the dump which is now "planted" next to the entrance with a discarded park bench next to it. Some have been substantial, like clearing out large areas that had been abandoned and overgrown. Most of all, I appreciated how helpful all the guys were who worked there. They were friendly and polite and went out of their way to make things easy for you. It hadn't always been that way. Ironically, one of the criticisms that made of them is that they sometimes would lend a hand if someone was trying to unload something from their car that was too heavy for them to handle. "They tell us that we can't help people unload stuff, because we might get hurt," Ralph said. "If I'm driving along the road and I see someone who needs help, I'm going to stop and help them. And they tell me I can't do it here? They say it's against Union Regulations." "I suppose they're concerned that you might hurt yourself and they'll be legally liable," I said. "Still, that doesn't seem right." I see some of the old-timers who are really struggling to unload their car, and I'm with you. I'd be right there, lending a hand." I asked when the hearing was going to be, and told him I'd be there. It was then that I realized why he was stopping people to talk to them as they were coming in. He was trying to get people to come and speak on their behalf.

The night of the public hearing, I arrived early. I'd never been to a public hearing in Derby, although I'd survived countless others when I was Executive Director of the Stamford Museum & Nature Center. The hearing was held in a small room, and there wasn't a whole lot of "Public" there. As it turns out, I was the only one to show up to speak on behalf of the guys at the dump. Ralph was there, and I knew he appreciated my coming.

After a few preliminary items on the agenda the time came for the public to speak. I stood up and introduced myself and gave my address and said I was there to speak on behalf of the crew at the Dump. I told the Board that my wife and I had moved to Derby seven years ago and if they gave out frequent flier miles for each trip to the dump we would have earned a trip around the world long ago. I spoke of the improvements that I've seen since the men were hired, and how helpful they are to everyone who comes there. "Some people come to work and do the minimum they have to in order to get their paycheck, and no more," I said. 'Not these guys. They take pride in their work. "They're conscientious and polite and do everything they can to help others." "I glanced over for a moment to look at Ralph, sitting in the back of the room. "I don't really know the men who work there. They're not personal friends or family members. I just wanted to publicly thank them for the wonderful job they were doing.." I thanked the members of the Board of Aldermen for the hard work that they do to serve the community, and sat down.

There was a time when people took pride in their work. They lived the old adage, "An honest day's work for an honest day's pay." When I see people who take pride in their work, I thank them. It doesn't make any difference what the work is. There is honor in doing any job right. No work is unimportant.
Sly and the Family Stone love everyday people. So does God. So do I.

The Other Shoe

        This morning I took my first load of sand to the dump. I was trying to get it in before it started rain. Sand weighs enough without being wet. Yesterday I gave copies of this chapter to Ralph and John and when I pulled up in front of the check in booth, Ralph called out with a big grin, "You're some kind of writer!" I got out of the car and walked over and we were both excited. Ralph wanted to tell me that he's going to take the chapter over for the Mayor to read after the dump closes. I wanted to tell him about the e-mail I received from my friend Rene in Paris. I e-mailed this chapter to Rene yesterday and there was a response waiting for me when I came down to my office this morning. Rene was as enthusiastic as Ralph. He particularly responded to the comments about people who only do the bare minimum at work to get their paycheck. Like many people, Rene doesn't enjoy his work. When he talks to his brother about
work, neither of them enjoy their work because they see all the political aspects of it. It's the same all over. Then Rene wrote:
"Still, yesterday I realized this sort of thinking makes me sad while my intellect tells me it's a good thing to be "aware".
Every once in a while, still, I'll go and do a little more than what I'm being paid for, just because it will help a co-worker or two. And that makes me feel good.
Last month I received my retirement results and it showed I still have 10 more years of work ahead of me before I can retire.
On one hand I can't wait, on the other hand, I believe I'd better make the best out of these 10 years, because my life is taking place now, not 10 years ahead."
When I told Ralph about this, his face really lit up. He wanted to talk about how good it feels to be helpful and treat people with respect. I told him:
        "So, here you are Ralph, trying to do the best job you can at the Derby Dump, and you've caused my friend Rene over in Paris to re-think how he approaches his work. That's the way it works."
   In Christ there is no East or West
   In Christ no South or North
   But one great commonwealth of love
   throughout the whole wide earth.
          In Christ There Is No East Or West Words by John Oxenham
(I asked Rene for permission to include the lines quoted above, and he enthusiastically agreed. Then he said, "The next time you see Ralph, tell him Rene says Hello.")