Bringing happiness on a big truck
Will Barnes gets excited about garbage day. It’s a chance for the Crestline resident, who is almost 2 years old, to see what he calls the “big cruck.”
“You would think it was a five-alarm fire … the way he scrambles and starts running [outside],” said William Barnes on his son’s response to garbage day. “He absolutely fell in love with that garbage truck.”
A lot of Will’s excitement is due to the two men who drive the truck. Greg James and Don Ray drive the Waste Management truck that picks up garbage throughout Mountain Brook. Having gotten to know them through his son’s interest, Barnes said it’s clear to see that James and Ray enjoy what they do.
“In my opinion, they take the extra mile to help the citizens of Mountain Brook especially,” Barnes said. “They are the nicest gentlemen you’ll ever meet, anywhere. Very kindhearted, very good-spirited. I’ve never once heard them complain about anything.”
James, who came to Birmingham from California in February, said his route through Mountain Brook includes quite a few kids like Will. James and Ray start at 6 a.m., but by mid-morning there are usually children and parents coming out of their homes to watch the garbage truck in action.
“The kids just love these trucks,” James said.
Since the kids’ excitement is one of his favorite parts of the job, James said he and Ray try to let them see how the “big monster eating trash” works as they watch from their porch or front yard. Even when young kids aren’t around, James said several residents on their route will give them cold drinks to express their appreciation.
“Everybody is real, real, real nice to us when we’re out there,” he said.
Will is one of the most enthusiastic children on James and Ray’s route. Now, he doesn’t just watch from his own home. Instead, Barnes pulls his son in a wagon or pushes him on a tricycle to follow the garbage truck for about a block.
“He just loves what we do. And when he sees the truck… he’ll yell out, ‘Crush!’” James said.
“This has been such a big part of his life,” Barnes said.
Barnes, who grew up in Mountain Brook and has lived in his home on Carla Circle since 2005, said he has noticed the quality of work from Crestline’s garbage collectors for years. Since he began following the truck with Will each week, Barnes said he has noticed not only how challenging James and Ray’s jobs are, but also the little things they do to help the residents on their route.
From picking up trash in the street to hunting for items residents accidentally threw out, Barnes said Will isn’t the only one who benefits from James and Ray’s work.
“That’s really when I absorbed just how difficult their job is, No. 1, and No. 2 just how far above and beyond the call of duty these guys go to make residents here happy,” he said.