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Residents say trash single-hauler plan
(by Joseph Koziol Jr. - September 16, 2009)
Residents say trash single-hauler plan
By JOSEPH KOZIOL JR.
A crumpled piece of paper and a fish story told the tale for the majority of Chardon residents who turned out last week to give their opinions on a proposed single-hauler trash service for the city.
That fish story, told by local businessman Marc Burr, illustrated what most of the approximately 35 people who turned out for a public forum felt about losing their freedom to choose who handles their trash.
Straw polls taken of the audience at the meeting last week showed that the majority want to choose for themselves, even if they would have seen a 40 percent savings over their current service.
Mr. Burr held the crumbled piece of paper and told how he woke one morning and decided he wanted fish for breakfast. He said he decided what he wanted to eat and then got into the car that he, alone, decided to buy. He said he drove the route he decided on and went to a store of his choosing. He then purchased the fish he wanted and went home to have breakfast.
"Now, the city wants to tell me who I have to give this paper to," Mr. Burr said, holding up the crumbled paper. He assured the audience that the paper was just a prop, not an actual fish wrapper.
Mr. Burr said he has long known a local family that he decided to do business with for trash hauling. The local family, the Clemsons, own the trash-hauling business and donated equipment when Chardon High School was building its new football stadium.
Mr. Burr said he wants the right to continue to give business to people he knows personally, even if he wants to pay more for that service.
His sentiments were supported by most residents who turned out for the meeting, as well as the majority who wrote to the city on the issue.
Former Mayor John Park expressed similar feelings in a letter. "I do not need help with my negotiations in private contract matters regarding my home," he said. "Frankly, I am concerned with this government taking on another responsibility that will eventually, without a doubt, create further bureaucracy."
Former Police Chief William Niehus, likewise, said it's his choice, not the city's. "I am against it, as I do not feel government has the right to tell me who I can use as my hauler if I am happy with the one I use," he said.
Some favored the proposal they were in the minority. David and Ginny McIntosh wrote that they live on a fixed income and would be interested in the savings. But they said they do not want to be charged for recycling, because they do it on their own.
Those in attendance questioned every aspect of the plan, including whether it would reduce pollution with fewer trucks on the road. Some said the hauler would have to bring in more trucks to service more volume in trash.
Although officials said the city easily could get out of the contract, proposed for three years with a two-year extension option, Councilman Robert Cromwell challenged that assertion. He said it may be difficult to prove non-performance of the contract.
At a subsequent City Council meeting, Councilman Philip King said the message residents sent that night was "very clear." He said the time may not be right for introducing a single-trash hauler to the city.
City Manager David Lelko said the issue could be put on the ballot as an advisory measure.
Councilwoman Leslie Bednar said no further research is needed on the matter. She said the majority of residents do not want it, even if they receive savings. "People didn't want to pay for recycling, no matter how much it doesn't cost," she said.
She said, only once bids are received, will the city know how much the service will cost and what type of savings might be available.
Mr. Bednar and Councilwoman Mary Bramstedt, as members of the service committee, have been studying the issue for the past year.
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