Originally posted by Columbuzz.net, re posted with permission, written by Bob Freeman.

Trash, trash, trash. Anyone else getting sick of hearing about trash pickup around here? I know I am.

My first thought on it is that this shouldn’t be an issue. This should have been settled 30 years ago. But we never had a direct bill for trash collection before. It was always included in our property taxes.

Now we get to debate the same stuff we debated when I was in high school over 30 years ago.

I find it sad that recycling needs to be discussed. You would think that in this day and age everyone would automatically recycle everything they can. You would think that people would have a weekly routine and take their recyclables to the recycle place. The need for curbside recycling wouldn’t be needed.

But it is. Because most of us are a bunch of lazyasses, like we’ve always been. Yes, WE. I’m guilty too. My form of recycling is to put everything that I don’t want anymore into the tote that the city empties each week. It’s time that stops.

We need curbside recycling. If it was available, I would sort my trash like everyone should. I don’t have the time to go to the landfill each week with my recyclables. And there are a lot of people like that. Some can’t. Some don’t want to.

I understand the city council thinking they need to charge us for trash pickup since property tax revenue went down. I get it. So we pay it a different way. I understand they have to charge us more at the same time they give themselves a pay raise. That’s life.

So, instead of charging me $12 for the service I have been getting ‘free’ for 30 years, charge me $15 or $20 and start curbside recycling too. Then the change and the new bill will mean something.

But, while they make this change, they need to find a way to start curbside recycling.

If they don’t do it now, while this big change is being made, it will never get done.

If they fight to stop it while a generational policy change is being made, they will easily stop it when it is suggested in the future.

I repeat.

START A RECYCLE ROUTE NOW OR BE LAUGHED OUT OF THE CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS WHEN YOU BRING IT UP 2 OR 3 YEARS FROM NOW. IF YOU CAN’T GET IT PASSED NOW, YOU WILL NEVER GET IT PASSED.

Comprende?

I don’t care if you want no recycling, all recycling, free trash compactors, red trash bags, rainbow colored trash boxes, little green men to eat your trash, or a small landfill on every corner.

Go to the meeting and let them hear about it.

November 17th. That’s this coming Tuesday for those who can’t read a calendar. Not sure when it starts but if you’re there by 5:00 pm you might get a decent seat or decent place to stand.

That’s my opinion. You don’t agree? Too bad. Go to the meeting on November 17th and say what you think about it.

We should all be there to let them know how we feel. Even if you don’t say a word, your presence will send a message of just how important this issue is to you.

City Council meetings usually get more people watching than County Council does. You can usually hear an echo at the County Council meetings. Nobody ever goes to those.

And when we don’t go to the meetings to object or to simply voice our opinions, they do whatever they wish.

So, speak now, or forever hold your piece.