Reestablishing Stratford volunteers begin process of cleaning up unwanted dumpsite

The five volunteers and part-time trash removal experts included Rob Isquierdo, Ramon Chavez, Troy Young, Ray Avina, and Eddie Hernandez.

The impromptu dumpsite is located at the intersection of Lincoln and 20th avenues, along a canal bank and had served as an unwanted dumping ground in recent years.

"I was just made aware of it recently, but based on what I've seen, some of that trash has been out there for years," said Rob Isquierdo, a founding member of Reestablishing Stratford. "I'm going to say it's probably been there for two or three years."

Those cleaning up the illegal dump site near Stratford found some unusual items, including this Quinceanera dress used for the celebration of a girl's 15th birthday.

Photo Courtesy Rob Isquierdo

Isquierdo reasons that one person may have dumped something there a few years ago, and then others began contributing to the illegal dumpsite.

"One of our board members brought to our attention that if we are going to restore pride in our community, the physical appearance of our community would have a strong psychological effect on how we treat our community."

Isquierdo said the small group of volunteers loaded mattresses, refrigerators, sofas, and other miscellaneous trash items into a roll-off bin and trailer. A local farmer responded to a Facebook plea for a backhoe from the group and about half an hour later delivered a backhoe – and a driver – to expedite the process.

Isquierdo said that for the sake of the small community, the dumpsite needed to be removed. "We need to set the example for our community that Stratford is no longer a dumping ground but rather a great community worthy of our efforts to improve it."

The group found a wide variety of items, including washing machines, sofas, and unusual items – a Quinceanera dress and a glittered high-heel shoe.

"If you see trash, they immediately lump that community into a category where the residents do not care about their community," said Isquierdo, adding that it's essential that residents have a clean community.

The small group worked from 6:30 a.m. to approximately 11 a.m. They figure that they picked up about one-third of the trash near the canal. "We have more work to do," said Isquierdo.