As morning commuters stream toward the Magnolia Bridge on their way to work, some may have spotted a certain well-dressed, older gentleman meandering along the sidewalk, plastic bag in one hand and trash-collecting instrument in the other.
A keen observer would notice that the man follows the same route every day, walking down the hill to West Galer Street and onto the bridge. On his way he stops to pick up little items that people fail to throw away properly-paper, aluminum cans, even an old t-shirt soon fill multiple bags.
Heavy traffic does not deter this individual, who steps out in the road if necessary in order to secure a "misplaced" piece of something.
A nice overcoat and dress clothes are not the usual attire for someone cleaning the streets; nor do you usually see an older person doing such work.
But as the man makes his way down to Elliott Avenue, it becomes evident that he is no ordinary trash collector. Depositing the bags in a nearby garbage can, he continues down the street before turning into an office building: The End of Elliott Complex.
The man in question is 82-year-old Arthur Hays-long-time Magnolia resident, founder of Hays Distributing Corp., and the owner of the complex along with many other buildings along Elliott Avenue and 15th Avenue West.
A University of Washington graduate, Hays came to Magnolia in 1957, eventually moving his business there in 1964. He's been walking to work for 40 years or so.
"At first I just picked up the big stuff," he says. "It's good exercise."
From his house in Magnolia, Hays works his way down to Galer Street and eventually the bridge, picking up junk as he goes.
"I just do it to keep the streets clean," he explains.
Although Hays does not wish to draw attention to himself, some Magnolia residents have noticed the ritual and expressed their appreciation.
"A lot of people thank me," he says.
Ironically, just as this article was being composed, someone wrote into The Seattle Times and referenced Hays on May 28 in the "Rant and Rave!" section. The individual gave a "huge rave to the nicely-dressed gentleman who walks down the Magnolia Bridge every weekday morning, picking up garbage along the way." The piece praised Hays as a "true inspiration for everyone."
Other people recognize his work by honking as they cross the bridge. And when Hays takes a vacation, upon his return he always gets a few comments from people who noticed his absence.
At one point about a decade ago, Hays' morning stroll was threatened when the bridge was remodeled.
"When they fixed the bridge, the foreman gave me a hard hat," he says with a laugh.
The foreman allowed Hays to sign in as an "inspector" each morning in order to continue his walk to work.
After two women had noticed Hays picking up trash a few times, they decided to buy him a little present to make the job easier.
"They gave me a (metal trash-collecting stick) with a big ribbon on it," he says, holding the item in his hand. "They didn't want me bending down and going onto the road."
Wandering around one of his warehouses, Hays points out that his inventory is much smaller than it used to be. All of the buildings that he owns used to store toys and collectibles, but business decreased in the 1990s, and he began to lease out his property.
"Small stores are hard to find, and the other ones in most cases are large chains-not owned locally," he says.
Hays now comes into work to check on his tenants in the different buildings.
But one thing will not change: Hays says he plans on continuing his tradition of walking to work for as long as his body will allow.
"I enjoy getting the exercise and I also enjoy that so many appreciate the fact that I'm doing it."
Jesse Baumgartner is entering his sophomore year at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He attended Garfield High School and has lived on Queen Anne for the majority of his life.[[In-content Ad]]
