Wednesday morning when I pulled up to work I recognized a man that I had met once or twice before in the wee hours of the morning in front of the radio station. He had a long stick in one hand and a bucket in the other. As I got out of my vehicle I heard the man say, “Jamie, is that you?” I told him yes and that he would have to remind me who he was. “It’s Downtown Joe.” Of course, I replied.

Downtown Joe used to be an employee of the City of Regina before retiring and moving away for a while. He’s been back a few years now. His reason for roaming the streets at 3 A.M.? He has to get up early for church every morning anyway, so he does his part in keeping our city clean by roaming the downtown area picking up small bits of garbage. He had one of the sticks that you use to pick up garbage in one hand and a bucket to put it in in the other.

That was the first time I’d seen Downtown Joe in quite a while, and to be honest, I hope it’s not the last. He’s a pleasure to chat with. Hats off to someone who gets up early, on his own volition, and does his part to make the city he lives in a better place.

Thank you to all of the “Downtown Joes” out there.