State-Journal.com - Garbage job has its perks

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Photo By State Journal/Kelly MackeyDoug Taylor has driven a truck for the Frankfort Sanitation Department for 24 years.

Photo By State Journal/Kelly Mackey Paul Scott Greases Doug Taylor's truck as Doug Taylor uses a stick to change the trucks gear.

"Frankfort Faces" is a series that highlights people from within the Frankfort and Franklin County community. Each feature follows one of the city's most unique personalities and includes a story, photos and video, which can be found by clicking the TV icon attached to the story online at state-journal.com.

Doug Taylor has a job many wouldn't want " it has to be done in rain, heat or snow. There's some heavy lifting and a fair share of unknown hazards.

But being a city garbage truck driver has his rewards, too.

Taylor, 49, started work for the city on a sanitation truck in 1979. Over the years he's seen his share of bad weather. He's been chased by dogs and by customers who forgot to set the trash out by the curb.
A typical day begins when he rises at 6 a.m. and heads out the door a half-hour later to begin his routes, which change daily.

The work, Taylor says, offers something new and he might see something out of the ordinary "every day."

But, Taylor said, it's not all about trash. He's had the opportunity to work with and mentor Class D trustees of the state penal system contracted to work with Frankfort's sanitation department.
"I was fortunate enough to be here when they started the program in 1989," Taylor said of the initiative. "The first thing I learned was not to judge."

"I've met some interesting individuals, from child support to murder," Taylor said. But the time invested is well worth it, he says.

"You get to help someone refocus their life on going out to work every day and staying out of trouble. It's something when they get out, maybe, they can fall back on."

And he's run into some of the men from years ago from cities like Louisville and Newport.

"I've had guys approach me at a ball game and say "Hey, remember me? I worked on your truck.'"

But his efforts on the truck also help keep the city moving and there are few items he hasn't hauled away over the years " even watercraft.

"We picked up a V-hull boat. Several of us got out there and managed to get it into the truck."
And the trucks' compactors can handle nearly any job with aplomb, Taylor said. "It will crush a fridge like it's nothing."

The compactor will snap boards like toothpicks and has caused paint cans to explode, once sending a worker to the hospital.

"I haven't seen anything it won't crush. Pianos, boats, parts of cars."

That was in the days before city ordinances changed to protect workers on sanitation trucks from injury.

"If you tore your house down and set it out at the street, we were there to take it away."

Times have changed and trash container sizes have decreased to prevent workers from hurting themselves lifting weighty cans repeatedly all day, according to Taylor.

But the weight of garbage cans is minor compared to other possible hazards.

Taylor once stuck himself with a hypodermic needle left in a trash bag.

"I had a real hard time dealing with it. I had no idea who was using it and what for."

Though Taylor has been tested for disease since, he still exercises extra caution.

"I don't just jump out and grab a bag out of a can like I used to. I never thought about it until after I was stuck. It's a reminder to be extremely careful. But we have our good days, too."

Those tend to come more frequently around the holidays, he said.

Customers frequently come out to the street with goodies and thank-you cards to share their gratitude when his truck rolls by.

And for good reason. Taylor said he and his co-workers will sometimes help the elderly who may not be able to get cans out to the street on their own.
In return, they often find cans of soda and bottles of Gatorade left with the garbage when the weather is hot.
It's not just the elderly who are grateful for Taylor and his crew. Kids love the truck.

"Trucks are like magnets to young boys. The kids on Wallace Avenue and on Walter Todd are watching every move you make. They want you to blow the horn.

"Even as a child, I can remember coming out to see the truck. Years ago, kids would come out and eat lunch with us, some of them would want to help you."

"Others drive by and hold their nose," he said with a laugh.

His own son and daughter have also been a large element of his time with the city.

Taylor, who grew up on Holmes Street, used to drive school buses for Frankfort Independent Schools after his city trash collection routes were finished.

His second job allowed him to spend more time with his son, who played football and baseball, as he often drove teams to games.

He drove and did custodial work for Frankfort Independent until he was diagnosed with sleep apnea and didn't want to risk shuttling children. "I didn't have to quit " it was my choice."

Nevertheless, his time with the city and driving the bus afforded him extra time with his family.

"I've always had the upper hand on watching both my kids grow up."

Now they are grown and Taylor is four years from retirement.

But he expects to stick with the collection routes, regardless.

"If I'm able, I'll keep on going."