Thankfully, county administrators have backtracked after they
presented a change in garbage contractors for residents in
unincorporated parts of South County as a foregone conclusion
– before it even went before elected supervisors.
Thankfully, county administrators have backtracked after they presented a change in garbage contractors for residents in unincorporated parts of South County as a foregone conclusion – before it even went before elected supervisors.
Supervisor Don Gage should not put up with that kind of nonsense – especially when it involves nearly a 14 percent increase in rates from the “new company” – GreenWaste – as opposed to a 4 percent increase proposed by tried-and-true South Valley Disposal. The current contract expires Sept. 30.
To add insult to injury, the county staff botched sending out a survey to many South County residents who didn’t receive it until just before the day an informational meeting was to be held in San Martin. Residents justifiably felt wronged when only GreenWaste Recovery officials were at the meeting which seemed more like a coming out party than an honest session to receive feedback from residents on the proposal.
That’s too bad. Not only for residents, but it’s a slap in the face to South Valley Disposal which has been a valued community business for many years.
Beyond that, it seems that there are economies of scale and environmental benefits to using the same company for both South County cities and the unincorporated areas as well as San Benito County.
In the context of the extremely difficult economy, it’s understandable that keeping garbage fees as low as possible is a priority for most residents. Supervisors should also listen to rural residents who say recycling service every other week is just fine and that the value of free-trip-to-the-dump coupons, which SV Disposal supplies, is worth far more than the undersized yard waste container that GreenWaste proposes.
That’s what county officials should keep top of mind as they evaluate garbage hauling proposals.
Residents have been loud and clear about what matters. Hopefully, county officials have received the message, and Supervisor Gage has heard the ringing endorsement to retain the services of South Valley Disposal.
