Letters to the Editort 08/20/2008

To the Editor:

I was so glad I attended the City Council meeting last Thursday, and to have the opportunity to voice my opinion regarding the City Council considering passing the responsibility of the city's neighborhood refuse collection to High Country Disposal of Bend.

I, and most folks I've spoken to so far, much prefer the tasks continue to be done by our city employees (who already pick up cardboard), who have shown great pride in the performance of their duties for the city.

A good example was this last Sunday morning. I went to the creek park early and saw that the container was overflowing with a lot of garbage all over the ground. Returning later I saw that not only had the container been emptied but all the trash, food, etc. on the ground had been cleaned up. Would the High Country personnel have gotten out of their truck to pick this all up, or would they simply have dumped the container and driven off?

Lon Kellstrom had pointed out that the refuse account generates $7,000 per month over and above the expenses for the city in his Op Ed piece in The Nugget. I'm assuming that the monthly profit has been going into a general fund, not into a refuse savings account to be used to repair/replace equipment as needed, because the council reported our rates would have to be increased to purchase the new truck they need if they were to continue the collection here.

It would appear that if that amount had been set aside each month specifically for future purchases of newer equipment, for just the last 36 months, the account would now have $252,000 plus interest in it. This exceeds, of course, the $240,000 needed if the city prefers purchasing a new truck in lieu of a used one. This would also mean that a rate hike to finance it would not be necessary.

Unfortunately, only three of us attended the City Council meeting Thursday evening. If you agree with us, please let your thoughts be heard by the City Council.

Virginia Lindsey