Gwinnett County is resuming its efforts to implement a new trash collection plan for the County.
Currently, Gwinnett County homeowners have the option to choose from dozens of companies to collect their trash based on who offers the best price for them, and they are also able choose whether they even want to have trash collection services or take it to the dump themselves.
Earlier this year, Gwinnett County proposed a plan to takeover trash collection services by using private companies to collect. In that plan, the county would MANDATE that every Gwinnett homeowner have weekly garbage collection. It would have divided the county into 8 districts and would have only allowed one hauler per district, eliminating your freedom to choose a hauler. And, under the plan, the county would have begun billing for garbage collection on your property tax bill, which would have resulted in a $6 million dollar a year total property tax increase. This program would have been run by Gwinnett Clean and Beautiful. The Gwinnett Superior Court threw this plan out.
The county is now in the process of resuming work on a new plan. The new plan they are working towards is exactly the same as the last except Gwinnett Clean and Beautiful would not be running the program. They have had a series of public hearing to take suggestions on minor details of the plan, but the basics are the same as the last: FORCING YOU TO HAVE TRASH COLLECTION, ENDING PERSONAL CHOICE, LIMITING PRIVATE ENTERPRISE and ADDING A NEW TAX ON YOUR PROPERTY TAX BILL. That is just wrong.
In times of intense budget problems and budget cuts, they need to leave the current trash plan as it currently is and deal with the issue later.
We need to attend the public hearing and let our voices be heard. We need to stop this new program.
In Summary the new trash program would:
1. Destroy Freedom by mandating everyone to have trash collection services without the choice of your hauler.
2. No Choice- forbid many private companies from operating in Gwinnett.
3. Charge homeowners on their property tax bills resulting in potentially a $6 million tax increase.
4. Waste of money and time.
Let’s leave it as it is and address the issue later!
I totally agree. I attended the meeting at Pickneyville Community Center this past Saturday and out of approximately 40 people only 2 agreed with the plan that is being pushed on Gwinnett County citizens.
For the 1st time in the 15 years I’ve lived in Gwinnett County, I am seriously considering moving out of the county. If this passes, quality of service can only go down.
Comment by Shirley — July 16, 2009 @ 1:04 pm |
while I understand the wants for free enterprise and public choice. Most comapnies charge what they want, put on gas charges, up the rate every few months and want to charge for their bins. Now how is that any different from our government?? plus the 6% is the cost of trash, not additional taxes. You show me on paper how this will save me money in the long run and have companies not gouge my eyes out for garbage removal and i’ll be right with you.
Comment by Mallorie Parkinson — July 16, 2009 @ 3:36 pm |
Welcome to the fight!!! With the way our BOC is currently acting it won’t be an easy one.
Comment by GV — July 16, 2009 @ 3:50 pm |
Mallorie
This will save you money in the long run because free market competition will drive down price the haulers charge.
But don’t be blind by the BOC arguments of illegal dumping, prices or whatever the BOC says next. This is a continuation of the government stealing freedom. In the opinion of the BOC, you are too incompetent to hire someone to haul away your trash, so the BOC must take care of you.
Additionally, if the BOC mandates this service, what will be mandated next? Last year it was the storm water utility. The county administrators and bureaucrats are deathly afraid that WE will not renew the SPLOST in the next election. The county administrators and bureaucrats are throwing anything they can think of to secure their revenue, your money.
Comment by ReplacetheBOC — July 18, 2009 @ 12:11 pm |
I haven’t experienced the problem posted by Mallorie. Yes, I have had increases and, at times, have shopped around and gotten someone else that was cheaper and just as good. And, that is the idea ….. freedom to change when necessary !!!
The gist of this “tax increase” is that Gwinnett county has overspent on the stadium and now is looking at ways to make up for it. They will charge the taxpayer approx. $23.00 a month (which is more than I pay now) and contract to pay the trash company a lower rate, say $15.00 a month. For 12 months, that comes to $180, $180 per homeowner — you do the math.
I absolutely intend to move from Gwinnett county as soon as I retire and I have been in this county for 50 years !!!
Comment by Mary — July 24, 2009 @ 6:50 pm |
How convenient that my commentary was not allowed to stand but has been disposed of since it was not of the same drivel as you want posted here. Since you don’t support discussion you invalidate your entire premise. You woudl satnd a much betetr chance of being paid attention to if you participated in a real discussion and addressed what you thought was wrong with my arguments. And stating free choice is my mantra doesn’t address the issue we have here in the county with those who litter and pollute destroying our quality of life.
Comment by Art — August 5, 2009 @ 1:55 am |