William “Willie” Powell holds the antidote for a City of Trenton trash problem — everyone should do their part, in this case, even when your life odometer shows 96 years. Cheers and Happy Birthday to this nonagenarian for his amazing contribution to the Walnut/Hampton Ave. community.
“I don’t clean this area every day, only when it needs it. I do part of Walnut Avenue and go up to the alley on Hampton Avenue,” Powell, who even breaks out a leaf blower, explained. His efforts showed a spotless area near his home.
Knowing his desire for a clean Trenton, a neighborhood guest could identify Powell’s with ease. Like many other homes here — it’s beautiful and well kept. Powell, who celebrated a birthday last week, moved onto the block in 1966, a time when this area cultivated pride.
“It’s not just me,” he noted. “Have you talked to others?We used to have two other people who cleaned. But one died and the other got sick.
” Powell said he worked In maintenance at Nassau Inn in Princeton for 34 years before retiring in 1993. He agreed that Trenton could reflect cleanliness if, “everyone just cleaned in front of their home.” And, while politicians and city employees engage in countless photo ops regarding neighborhood cleanups, Powell respectfully declined his opportunity for shutter stardom.
“No, I don’t really need a photo,” Powell said. We settled on one from a distance and another with him looking down Hampton Ave..
