Nothing trashy about the job they do
Leonard Morris and Glenn Larry enjoy serving their neighborhoods, and their enthusiasm is apparent to the residents on their route

Leonard Morris, left, and Glenn Larry collect about two tons of trash during an eight-hour shift. Larry drives while Morris does the heavy lifting.

Story and photos by John Perry

Glenn Larry, a senior sideloader operator, drives close to the curb. Leonard Morris, sideloader operator, jumps down, hefts a 65- to 90-gallon city of Houston garbage can off the street and empties it into the truck’s yawning mechanical jaws. On an eight-hour shift, Morris might hoist two tons of trash.

Hard work, but he doesn’t see it that way.

“When you like what you do, it’s not work,” said Morris, with Solid Waste Management since 1981. “Houses on our route are not just any neighborhood, they’re our neighborhood. We care about it and feel good about keeping it clean.”

For most citizens, trash collectors are invisible. But that’s not the case on this route. Residents have phoned and written to commend them on their willingness to go the extra mile.

Patty Andon, in her 80s, was collecting yard waste for her garbage cart. When Larry and Morris noticed her struggling, they stopped and completed the task for her. Andon was so impressed by their concern for her well being, she phoned the Northwest Service Center, 1245 Judiway Street, and expressed her gratitude.

“They went well beyond their normal job responsibilities to help me,” Andon said.

Larry checks a truck maintenance report before he and Morris leave the Northwest Service Center to collect citizens' refuse.

Susann Sergent wrote SWM Director Buck Buchanan commending them the duo for helping her pick up a large volume of leaves that she couldn’t have managed.

“They did this voluntarily and very cheerfully,” Sergent wrote. “I have a chronic condition that greatly limits my endurance. They had no way of knowing about my health problem.

“I have noticed them performing such acts of kindness for others in my neighborhood, too.”

Buchanan was pleased. “You are to be commended for your professionalism and conduct and for going above and beyond the call of duty,” he wrote to Larry and Morris. “Your actions exemplify the best attributes of city employees committed to serving our community. Keep up the good work!”

On one occasion, Larry and Morris saw an elderly man fall into a ditch while tending his yard. They stopped, borrowed a passerby’s cell phone and called 911.

“He was 90-something years old and couldn’t get up. We stayed with him until EMS arrived,” Larry said. “And I’m happy to report that he turned out to be OK.”

Larry was hired the day before his birthday in 1999. "It turned out to be a birthday present I gave to myself. It’s provided a stable life for my family and me.”

Larry and Morris agree the most important thing to bring to the job is a positive attitude.

“Be cheerful. You’ll find it’s contagious. It’ll rub off on those around you,” Larry said. “You can make anything you do beautiful, just by having the right attitude.”

Morris said they try to set an example for the young guys just coming into the division.

“Teach them to take pride in their work to do whatever it takes to get the job done and get it done right,” Morris said

Anthony Bowie, division manager, is glad to have them on his team.

“Both guys are good, reliable dependable workers. I wish I had a dozen of them.”

Mayor Bill White praised Larry and Morris for delivering superior customer service.

“As I’ve often said, citizens ought to stop and thank the people who pick up their garbage because it’s an important service contributing to their quality of life,” White said. “Glenn Larry and Leonard Morris have gone that extra mile in their job performance. They are prime examples of the dedicated employees in the Solid Waste Management Department.

“I welcome them into the Mayor’s Spotlight.”