Global General

Special

Newsmaker

Asia Pacific

America

Middle East

Europe

Africa

Man who cleaned public restroom gets plunger award

(Agencies)
Updated: 2008-09-18 06:42

SAUGATUCK, Mich. - Steve Oswald isn't getting back the $156.94 he charged the city for cleaning a public bathroom. However, he did get the attention of city officials who promised to take better care of the bathroom -- and honored his efforts Tuesday with the Golden Plunger Award.

Saugatuck, Mich. Mayor Tony Vettori mops the city's public restroom after a news conference Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2008. Saugatuck resident Steve Oswald took it upon himself to clean the restrooms during the busy Labor Day holiday. [Agencies]

Oswald, 45, said he didn't expect to be reimbursed after billing the west Michigan tourist town for the work he did last month. But he did say he appreciated the award, a toilet plunger spray-painted gold and set on an oak stand.

WZZM-TV in Grand Rapids reports the city has replaced some of the fixtures in the bathroom and will hire a cleaning company to keep it tidy.

Mayor Tony Vettori was quoted by The Grand Rapids Press as saying he was glad Oswald "lifted the lid on this problem."