The solid waste issue is being debated presently. Apparently some options are being considered by our council members. The option that entails keeping facilities open on three islands and includes additional funding through property taxes will be on the ballot initiative this fall. If that fails then apparently the other option (roadside pickup by a private company) will be the winner by default. The questions about this process and the information the public receives are numerous.
– Who are these professionals analyzing the options? Who is crafting the wording/ presentation to the public in the form of the ballot initiative? If the ballot initiative is presented in an unfair, unrealistic, and unattractive way it will fail. Who benefits if it fails? Are there council members with personal agendas that would rather have the county privatize the delivery of services?
– What will be the basis of the proposed increases in property tax? Will it be based upon existing commercial/individual dwelling units that actually generate solid waste? Or will it include all parcels developed or not? If it includes all parcels developed and undeveloped how will the rates differ?
– Is the roadside pickup option even feasible on islands with many roads that are barely passable, or accessible? Where is the independent study comparing the feasibility of the options? Shouldn’t the public be presented with a solid waste comparison of costs for each in time for public debate and consideration?
– Are all the options being considered, in alignment with the purpose and intent of our solid waste plan of waste reduction? Seems like the incentives for private industry is the more garbage / waste the better, more profit.
Please ask questions of your council members. Find out what is really going on, where do they stand? Are they paying public lip service to appear neutral and really are “sly foxes” raiding the public house again? Those that see county government as the problem and inefficient can easily make it a self fulfilling prophecy, especially if they are working from the inside of the county government promoting the inefficiencies and incompetence.
Errol Speed
Eastsound
Errol,
Very nice articulation of the hard questions that still remain and need addressing, the ‘pink elephant in the room’. I wonder if anyone with authority will take notice. You’ve pointed toward some options that are outside the box.
However, it will take more than one of you to create a realistic new direction for this now belabored issue. Voice in the wilderness, and all that…. I hope the conscientious crowd will soon gather around you, before its garbage up to our elbows. Sometimes the political/economic momentum and vehement opinions will easily out roar the quiet wisdom springing up from an observer raising his hand in the corner. Don’t let that stop you. Someone of political impact may finally take notice so other options can evolve.
Thanks for speaking up, Your insightful gaze and articulate ways may still bear fruit.
Jim