Letters to the Editors

Allowing bids doesn't protect rights of residents

Editor: An open letter to Citrus County commissioners:

We, the local haulers of Citrus County, want to commend our county commissioners for the consideration to adjust the qualifications portion of the bid process to allow us at least the opportunity to place a bid and possibly stay in business. Although this may help us, it will not address the concerns of the residents of Citrus County.

After listening to the people for five hours Jan. 28, it was loud and clear that the freedom to choose their own haulers was the most important issue. Allowing us to bid will not protect the rights of Citrus County's residents.

Commissioner Jim Fowler kept stressing that the county commissioners' meeting on Jan. 28 was simply to approve mailing out the (request for proposal) packages, not an approval of mandatory service. While this may be true, the residents said "No" regardless of what is offered.

In June of 2001, the same remarks were made when R.W. Beck was hired to conduct a study of the county's needs. "This is not a vote for mandatory service. We are just trying to see what would work for our county," according to Fowler.

After 20 months and $110,000 of taxpayers' money, R.W. Beck came back with a "cookie cutter" presentation of what other counties are doing with no other options or alternatives to our needs as residents.

There was no mention of the survey results of what the county residents wanted nor was the question ever even asked. From the opinions of the crowd at the county commissioners' meeting on Jan. 28, the results were crystal clear. The only motivating factor for R.W. Beck is that they will receive an additional $88,000 to complete a process that the taxpayers are against, which is not in any of our best interests.

The "wait-and-see" attitude is becoming too common in these types of situations. We are asking that you stop the process now and seek other avenues to address our county's current concerns.

We find it disturbing that the commissioners would hire an outside source for input and never once ask for solutions from the haulers currently serving the county. Although we have still not been asked, we are offering our suggestions to help overcome the issues at hand.

We are asking for an informal meeting with the commissioners prior to the Tuesday meeting to discuss alternative measures.

If our input is acceptable and feasible, we will request a reasonable amount of time to do research and present a formal presentation in a public forum, at no charge to the taxpayers of our county.

As local companies and residents, we have a committed interest in what is best for Citrus County's future and want to help plan and participate in its potential growth. All we are asking for is the opportunity to continue our dreams of being business owners in our great country and provide the services that our residents need and desire as well as to continue our productive contribution to Citrus County.
-- Glenn Pszanka, Homosassa, NCRS Disposal

No way to fix this problem

Editor: Regarding the various (growing) moves to recall Commissioner Jim Fowler.

Seems as if it is not legally permitted for the voters to undo a prior mistake. As far as the people of Citrus County are concerned, Fowler appears to be in the same bullet-proof league as Swiftmud.

We can't control them and we can't fire them. Nice setup.
-- Walter Treftz, Hernando

Garbage plan just stinks

Editor: An open letter to Citrus County commissioners:

This letter is to add another resounding rumble of opposition to the proposed mandatory garbage plan (MPG). After months of press and meetings and street talk, it (the great idea of some of the commissioners) just stinks. And here's why:

-- Five-hundred years before the birth of Christ, in the city of Athens, Greece, the first laws were passed to control "garbagy proliferation." The laws were made to keep people from throwing garbage in the streets.

Since then, times have changed; people have become civilized and most of us don't spread garbage around and do take responsibility for proper handling and disposal -- they actually invented garbage disposals and have put them in most kitchens.

Safe to say that the majority of the people abide by the standards of health and sanitation. The other 1 percent could very well dump their garbage most anywhere, even to just kick it out of their front door. But the laws are still in place to correct this practice -- so, why punish the common majority citizen by imposing commerce restraints when it is more equitable to enforce and fine the illegal dumping violators. The slobs that still dump should be the target.

-- Residents already have a variety of good methods and systems in place and they are dependable, convenient and economical. If it isn't broken, don't mess it up by trying to "fix" it.

-- Approximately 70 percent of the taxpayers in Citrus are retired and living on a fixed income or diminishing investment income. The well-paid commissioners should be looking for ways to assist and ease the residents' burden of everyday living, not contriving harebrained financial schemes to raise living expenses and add to their worries.

-- During tight budget times it is foolishly unwise to be wasting money on consultant and attorney fees. There surely is adequate talent in the county staff to smoothly steer and manage a small landfill operation without making this some kind of a giant, complicated problem while missing the point entirely. Surely there are better things for you to spend our money on.

-- Roadside litter has always been a problem and a MGP is not the answer. Deal with it using prison labor, community volunteers, adopt programs, education and enforcement.

-- Consider this: By using sink garbage disposal units and simple compost systems, a family of three or four can reduce their household garbage to less than 10 gallons per week, about one-third of a 30-gallon can. A trip to the landfill on a weekly basis would cost 50 cents, and, during the trip, aluminum/steel cans, newspapers, glass and plastic items can be recycled at the same time. In two or three years, mandatory collection with lawn, yard and furniture disposal would ultimately trap this family into a financial hole of $30 to $50 a month or more. In the event this family bought the vacant lot next door, that bill could double, draining cash that could be spent on basic needs.

Personally for 12 years we have shared the cost of going to the landfill with neighbors, and when you add it all up for us, MPG would cost us 10 times what we mow manage with, and that includes lawn and yard waste. We also clean up our own streets.

Don't want it! Don't need it! Can 't afford it !!

It is time to put the mandatory garbage plan in the mandatory trash can.
Robert E. Burke, Inverness

© 2006 • All Rights Reserved • Tampa Bay Times
490 First Avenue South • St. Petersburg, FL 33701 • 727-893-8111

Contact the Times | Privacy Policy
Standard of Accuracy | Terms, Conditions & Copyright