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A little more on socialized garbage
Yesterday, I received a copy of the Gwinett Daily Post’s article on socialized garbage via the Gwinnett Village CID mailing list. There is not really any additional information that was not included in the AJC’s similar story, but again the Post outreports the AJC on Gwinnett issues. However, there are a couple of claims by Gwinnett Clean and Beautiful’s Connie Wiggins I must rebut.
“Based on on-going market studies and rates reported by citizens, the current average price for garbage and recycling service in Gwinnett is $21 per month,” the statement said. “The ‘Greener Tomorrow’ program will provide services at more affordable rates.”
So if $21 per month is the average, then, by definition,some residents are paying less than that. As I outlined in my earlier post, I was paying $18.23 per month to Allied Waste. If others were paying more, that is their decision. Residents could change providers if price was their absolute primary concern. (And before someone complains that their homeowners association selected a single hauler for their neighborhood, that is your neighborhood’s fault for allowing your association’s leadership to take away your economic freedom.) It is not the role of government to ensure equality of outcome. Perhaps this is the local version of “spreading the wealth.”
For residents who have complained that the new system is being forced upon them, GCB Services points to two years of work with more than 5,000 citizens who’ve participated in the community forums and the public hearing process. There is also a citizens advisory board comprised of 50 residents where concerns can be addressed.
Wiggins’s argument simply does not hold water. Since when do my neighbors and fellow Gwinnett residents have the right to deny my economic freedom of choice simply because they worked hard on a program? When I visited the dealer and bought my car, I did not take along a committee that could override my choice of vehicles. When I purchase merchandise, I do not have to go clear it with my next door neighbor.
Finally, the reasons that Wiggins cites for the program are spurious as I have previously outlined. She specifically talks about residents who do not have service and even go to extremes as depicted in the story. If Wiggins feels this is makes it ok for Gwinnett residents to be subjected to this program, I am glad she is not a doctor. If she were, she might decide to cut off an arm rather than stitch up a cut. Here is a better suggestion: if this is that serious of a problem, mandate that all residents have an active garbage service agreement. While I do not like government mandates, such a solution would be preferable to a blanket denial of economic freedom.
I would like to close with a note regarding Connie Wiggins. Ms. Wiggins has been the focus of my comments in this post because she was the official quoted in the article. Ms. Wiggins, however, does not carry the burden of ultimate responsibility for this program. Rather, our county commissioners are the ones that set aside our freedom of choice in favor of socialized garbage. Wiggins is merely the public face at this point who will likely bear an unfair portion of the scorn over what Gwinnett’s government has done to its residents.
Tags: Allied Waste, business, Connie Wiggins, garbage, government, Gwinnett Clean & Beautiful, Gwinnett County Commission, Gwinnett Village, homeowners association
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November 13th, 2008 at 1:02 pm
Since Advance will be using automated trucks (robotic arm picks the can up)there will be no trash allowed outside the one container allowed for trash (95 gal)……the same rule applies for recycling….Also your current vendor includes yard waste service at no extra cost (there are limits)but you will now pay an additional $10.00 per month for yard waste with a 12 month contract.
November 13th, 2008 at 2:30 pm
Thanks for the insight T Sealock. What about situations where you have cardboard boxes that large items are shipped in? I had some furniture boxes that I had to discard earlier this year that were not going to go into that bin! (Well, not unless I hacked away at them!)
November 17th, 2008 at 4:56 pm
I use Waste Industries and I have a long gravel driveway. The come all the way down the driveway (in reverse) and have done a great job. Bye-bye to that and it seems, to multiple containers. Damn these do-gooders. Really, you’re idiots.
On my last bill from them, they are charging a ‘deactivation fee.’ This seems bogus to me. Anyone on ideas whether to pay this or not?
LEE
November 18th, 2008 at 5:06 pm
Since I have been quite satified with the service from Robinson Sanitation, I plan on being very vocal with any complaints I may have with the future service being forced on me. I will complain to the provider and especially to the BOC and GC&B.
Robinson has not indicated (yet) that they intend to charge a ‘deactivation fee’, but if they do I will not pay it. It will be forwarded to the BOC and GC&B.
November 20th, 2008 at 2:16 pm
We also have sent an E-Mail to the Wiggins Commission on our disapproval of having ‘Social Garbage pick up’. In our letter, we stated that we were very satisfied with the service that we pay for. We pay less than $20 per month.
Wiggins replied back about how every one will have garbage pickup and the public meetings went so well. Then we read where 50,000 were interviewed for this program. That is less than 1% of the county population. Therefore, the minority will decide what is best for the residents of the county. Wiggins knew that if this went on the November 4 ballot it would not pass so nothing was said, until after the election. Then, it was slipped in on us.
Would it not be easier to say to the vendors that we have some citizens who do not have service and ask them to serve these citizens? This would be a better decision than changing the whole County to the Wiggins Plan. Keep in mind that there are only 50 members of the Wiggins committee.
After receiving an unsatisfactory response from Wiggins, it was thought that by contacting Mr. Bannister to let him know our thoughts that we may have a chance of stopping this. Instead of Mr. Bannister replying Wiggins replied on behalf of Mr. Bannister. Wiggins is the one that we are complaining about to start with. This tells us that the Commissioners do not want to deal with this issue or hear from the citizens that they serve. If this had come out before the election there may be some new faces on the Commission.
In a time when citizens are losing their jobs and homes, being foreclosed on this is not the time to add additional fee to our property taxes. One vendor, who supplies garbage service, will lose his entire business along with 14 employees who will lose their jobs.
Do you think Wiggins cares, NO!! She is trying to hire some one out of the county to supply you with service that you do not want.
Our only hope is that there is an attorney out there that will file suit and stop this social garbage plan. If not what is next, required vendors to cut your grass?
This needs to be stopped now.
November 20th, 2008 at 3:15 pm
JW: I agree with your sentiment, but I think it’s way too late to get this stopped. You can’t just call up someone and complain and expect action. This is years in planning, and you’re outrage is months late. Regarding the 1% sample, this is a representative sample. Statistics allow you to know what a group thinks based on taking a sample of the group, so that’s a bad angle to use. I’d commend them for getting 50k people to reply. However, I wonder what they really asked them? I’m sure it was a titled survey.
November 20th, 2008 at 4:27 pm
I would agree that the horse is out of the barn at this point. We cannot stop it. We might can get them to overturn, but we have to organize to do that and start to pressure them en masse. We have to write them, call their offices, attend their office hours, etc. The best thing that can come out of this at this point is an illustration of what happens when people don’t get engaged with their government. That may be hard to do in Washington or even Atlanta to a degree. But the commissioners are accessible. Unlike the folks in Washington, most of your local elected officials are just regular folks, many of whom have jobs. As evidence, I have been in touch with several officials and candidates or their advisers in the months that I have been publishing this blog. But four or five of us won’t make a dent. We have to get organized and active. It begins to make a difference when we get those who normally don’t follow these type things to engage. My mother, who is not nearly political as I am, wrote to Bannister on this garbage thing. Yes, she got a response from Connie Wiggins, but she made an effort.
I am open to working with folks to determine how we get involved. This blog is part of that. Maybe we need to get involved with the party or other county organizations. For now, let’s keep this dialog going and don’t forget the lesson this socialized garbage episode has taught us. We must be vigilant over our government officials or they will do things that are NOT in our best interest no matter how much they tell us that those things are best for us.
November 21st, 2008 at 6:58 pm
I got this email reply from Gwinnett Clean and Beautiful regarding the ‘deactivation fee’ being charged by some providers:
*****************
Thank you for taking the time to contact us about your concerns regarding service charges from your current waste hauler.
As you are aware, Gwinnett Clean and Beautiful Services has no authority over current haulers. As Gwinnett County noted publically on Tuesday, November 18, they officially notified Waste Industries that they have allegedly violated the Gwinnett County Solid Waste Ordinance by charging an unauthorized de-activation fee.
We cannot advise you on whether or not to pay the fee.
The County has stated that it will take any and all actions authorized by the Ordinance and law, including calling Waste Industries performance bond.
****************
November 24th, 2008 at 1:08 pm
Dude and Finance Buzz
You bring out very good points. However these companies must pick up their equipment from our homes. To have them charge the county would mean we would have to pay for it any way. Agreed we did not want to change, neither did our current providers. To say this is a charge due to losing the contract bid is unfair as each one bidded on an area. Maybe we need more than one vendor in each area.
Had the county and GCB left well enough alone we would not be in this mess. Cities with in the county will not be affected by this issue at all. At least that is my understanding. Since they use other wendors than the ones the county selected for you, where is the savings. These companies must go from one city to the next creates another problem.
This plan was not thought out as well as it should have been. As you can see by the charge that has been placed on you by the counties action. This in a no win situation for all involved.
GCB had 4 years or so to come up with a good well thought out plan. Time was wasted and all citizens did not have an input. That is the issue.
As you know once government becomes involved in any plan momey is wasted and in some cases the plan does not work. This may be one. Be assured that if this plan does not work fees will be raised at their will in order for it to work. Good money being thrown away. Good luck in trying to change this since it will take a long time to do so. Our Commissioners do not seem interested in hearing from us on this issue. Certainly GCB is definately not interested in any of our comments.
November 25th, 2008 at 10:34 am
This is not just about the rates and logistical problems, this is about free market enterprise and freedom of choice our constitutional rights.
I however do believe that there are several uissues here such as code of ethic violations on behalf of the BoC members, can governemtn collect debt (bill) for a private company? Why did Gwinnett Cleaqn and Beautuful feel the need tos et up another company Gwinnett Clean and Beautuful Services Inc. to handle this?
I am in the process of getting citizens contact information who wnat to be a part of stiopping this action. I ask that you email me your contact information to trashgwinnett@gmail.com so I may get you involved and keep you abreast of happenings.
Everyone should plan on attending the next BOC meeting on December 16th. to show your voice. Call write your commisioners as well, get the word out to as many people you can on these issues.
December 8th, 2008 at 10:13 pm
I have questions and concerns over the manner in which the “fees” are collected. IMO, a dangerous trend of putting “fees”on our tax bills. This started with the stormwater fee/tax. If I don’t pay my electric bill, the power co. stops my service. Same with the cable tv, phone, and gas…. BUT if I don’t pay my garbage bill, my house will be foreclosed and sold at auction on the courthouse steps.
Think about it…
Another point: Last years tax bill included the “Stormwater fee.” Gwinnett’s stormwater website insists that this is not a tax but a “user fee”. Then why is it on my TAX bill?
When I did my Federal income taxes last year, the software asked for the amount in box whatever from my mortgage statement. This amount included the stormwater “fee”. This entry was for the purpose of itemizing federal tax exemptions. If the stormwater thing is a “fee”, it would not be legal to include this amount as itemized mortgage interest or real estate tax.