Here is how people get recognized: (a) don't fix the existing stuff (b) write a new tool to solve some problems, but not all problems (c) get promoted, collect bonus (d) Don't stay no more than two years, and jump to another company or another group in the same company; that way, you don't need to clean out the mess created by both (a) and (b) (e) the people who end up maintaining (a) and (b) won't get rewarded.

Rinse and repeat.