Rick Badie / My Opinion

By Bruce Wilcox

March 21, 2007 10:02 PM | Link to this

When you have about 20,000 households without garbage pick-up service what do you expect? If a law is passed that would require home owners to have the service there is no way to check it. Most area’s have two or three trash companies servicing them, can’t expect them to keep track.

What we need is a Trash Inspectors Unit, sort of like the Storm Water Unit or Raindrop Patrol, no increase in taxes would be needed, every home would just have to pay a fee.

By Michael H. Smith

March 22, 2007 12:58 AM | Link to this

What we need is an efficient government to use about raindrop of good old fashion horse sense. Instead we get what we don’t want. More would-be organic fertilizer!

Before we raise the fees that are not taxes, why not get inventive and raise the fines (by $2,000) for littering and illegal dumping? (Oops make that “improper placement”. Forgot, we don’t do anything about dumping illegals.)

OH, did you hear that… 20,000 dial tones! They’re probably calling a sanitation company or they might be calling for the movers.

Either way, we just got lucky Gwinnett.

By KA

March 22, 2007 9:22 AM | Link to this

Include a trash tax into property taxes, which would fund residential trash pickup and roadside clean-ups.

By Ryan

March 22, 2007 9:32 AM | Link to this

I live in a subdivision off of a major Gwinnett road, and I live in one of the lower-lying areas of the subdivision.

During the windy months, all of the trash blows from the major road right into my front yard.

Good column.

By GW

March 22, 2007 10:05 AM | Link to this

Rick, did you happen to open the bag? Most accumulations of household garbage will have several pieces of discarded mail, complete with names and addresses. Then you can return the bag to the yard it belongs in.

By Mark

March 22, 2007 10:40 AM | Link to this

Hmmm. Think that maybe the rise in the number of filthy mexicans coming to this county has anything to do with it? Oh, bad me. Of course not! Wake up people!!

By Bill Walker

March 22, 2007 12:30 PM | Link to this

This really is a sad problem that we have and i belive is is worse than anyone is letting on. I see it quite often on my way to work most of the time after the cars have hit it and scattered it all over the highway and in most of the cases I saw it was all done by our (guest workers)they even have it figured out so if anyone sees it fall it was an accident I put it on the top of my car and the way to the trash and forgot it!I know because I stopped and picked one up and followed the people back home and gave it back to them they were not happy!you need to bear in mind that most of our guest workers have no education or any idea about sanitation so what do you expect!!!!!!

By Jack

March 22, 2007 1:23 PM | Link to this

Rick,

I think that most of the trash problem stems from people not having any pride in themselves, the community, the environment. I also believe it is lazy people who dont have the common courtesy of finding a proper place to dispose of it.

I have 3 recommended solutions: - Increase the fines of litering to a very high amount. Along with community service - Put peoples time in jail to a helpful duty. Have the local government get more prisoners on work details. - Have the people with court ordered community service have the task of trash detail. Is community service really a worth while project for the state?

People take pride in your community. Take responsibility and properly dispose of your trash. This is suppose to be the land of the beautiful.

By James C.McCoy

March 22, 2007 3:13 PM | Link to this

Amazing are you the same people I see hiring the Mexican populations to work for next to nothing complaining because they leave their trash behind? You folks can’t have your cake and eat it too! The people of the United States have grown so accustom to their cheap labor that they now can’t see the forest for the trees!

By Jack

March 22, 2007 4:01 PM | Link to this

Why is it that almost every article/blog that is on the internet, some ignorant, hateful people has to turn it into a race/discrimination issue. This article about trash that Mr. Bradie opened up for ideas and resolutions turned into something that it should not have. Some of you need to get into a good faith based church that teaches about Jesus Christ and God so maybe you can put aside the hate and discrimination. I have seen all kinds of people putting trash we it does not belong, whites, blacks, orientals, chinese, mexican.. We need a major revival to pray for God to relese the generational curse, bondage and strong hold of hate, discrimination and judging of one anouther. Geez…

By James C.McCoy

March 22, 2007 4:26 PM | Link to this

Amen Jack,I couldn’t have said it better myself!

By Donald Zwick

March 22, 2007 5:49 PM | Link to this

My wife and I pray every day to be released from the bondage forced upon us daily by the non-English speaking neighbors with their barking pit bulls, loud music with high bass volume, the smell of burning garbage, usually at nite, and missing the 5 or 6 neighbors that did speak English. I would like for Mr.McCoy to say extra prayers that we can sell and get out of the barrio!

By Michael H. Smith

March 22, 2007 6:00 PM | Link to this

Why is it that almost every article/blog that is on the internet, has some ignorant people always to trying to turn ‘a nationality’ into ‘a race’?

Is it because like the Klan or similar separatists hate groups, they believe in the existence of many races so that they can make their little imagined race superior or others inferior to them?

Some of YOU race-warlords need to know what science reveals coinciding with scriptural teachings. There is only one RACE, it’s called human.

Pointing out a violation of the law whether committed by illegal aliens or the government that is doing nothing about that crime, even when the complaining is done to extent it bothers you personally, doesn’t make it is racist or the complainers hateful.

I have no complaints against the legal immigrants.

Get over your bigotry!

By Roy Bruce McToy

March 22, 2007 6:30 PM | Link to this

Amen!

By Mark

March 23, 2007 11:11 AM | Link to this

Fools, your “god” is a figment of your imagination. Filthy mexicans are real. They live like pigs, and subject this country to their filty habits. Wake up.

By Leah

March 23, 2007 1:57 PM | Link to this

I must agree with most of the comments about the trash in Gwinnett. This county is becoming one big trash dump. Not just the highways, have you seen the parking lot of the Wal-mart in Lawrenceville lately? I can’t understand why someone cannot wait until they get home to unbox a television??? Why not take a few steps to the trash bin rather than dump your garbage next to your car?!

What we need is a county-wide day of Keep Gwinnett Clean and Beautiful. Put flyers (in English and Spanish) in mailboxes and distribute them among the schools. Maybe if everyone gets involved, it may bring attention the the problem. If successful, it could become a monthly task (like the first Saturday). I guess individuals have to be motivated to keep their neighborhoods, streets, and shopping centers litter free.

By Bruce Wilcox

March 23, 2007 2:32 PM | Link to this

Hey mark, here is a clue, if you want to talk big and be the resident racist, be a man and give your full name. I will not hold my breath.

By Mark Howell

March 23, 2007 3:19 PM | Link to this

Bruce, Funny..The ones who choose to ignore facts and walk blindly, choose to call the people who point out the facts and walk with open eyes “racist”.

By KNF

March 23, 2007 4:23 PM | Link to this

How Can You Help? - REPORT IT Call Gwinnett Clean & Beautiful at 770.822.5187 when you see someone littering. Get their tag number.

By Bruce Wilcox

March 23, 2007 11:24 PM | Link to this

Mark, not one person commenting is ignoring anything, they’re addressing the issue, seeking ways to find a remedy to the problem.

Your sweeping generalizations are meaningless and not based on fact. If we shared your mentality just imgaine what we could say about White female Gwinnett school graduates, Barbie Bandits and Run-Away Brides, get the picture?

By Theresa Bailey McClendon

March 24, 2007 10:14 AM | Link to this

Poor Mark, he’s too ignorant to hate! Again, my greatest fear is that he is young and will contribute to the birth of a child(ren) thus prolonging the acute insensitivity that winds its way through his mentality.

But! At least he’s reading!

Keep up the good work Mr. Badie

By Mark

March 24, 2007 11:18 AM | Link to this

Let me guess Bruce and Theresa…. Democrats??

By Joe

March 24, 2007 1:55 PM | Link to this

Let me guess Mark ….. moron?

By Michael H. Smith

March 24, 2007 3:26 PM | Link to this

Anyone in this deteriorating public digression got the latest figures/numbers on littering convictions in the county? Dollar amounts collected in littering fines? Any amounts on actual jail or community service time served for littering convictions?

Roaming around the Gwinnett Clean and Beautiful Website it appears to have not elaborated on these points in question?

Oh they did go into the broken windows theory about how habits and attitudes are addictive and contribute to community ruination but failed to force the issue of addressing “broken government”.

The Gwinnett County Litter Ordinance was updated in 2004, prohibiting distribution of information on private properties that have placed a “No Handbill” decal on their premises. Fines for violating this and other sections of the Litter Ordinance can range from $200 to $1,200.

When government enforces our laws it is amazing just how quickly old habits change and how attitudes suddenly get adjusted?

Considering the costs incurred by the general public for littering, dumping and graffiti that were published on the GCB Website, raising the fines (which might take state legislation) is justified to fund adding the addition law enforcement needed to fix the underlying problem that the brokenness of government is sending, in that our government really doesn’t care.

By Jay

March 24, 2007 3:59 PM | Link to this

There is more to this story then there might appear to be on the surface. This issue was originated from various trash haulers to persuade folks that making changes to the county’s solid waste plan and approach is not wise. In the sense that these changes might mean an impact to their current business and revenue model – likely a certainty but it is needed for the betterment and well being of our community, county, state and country.

The driver behind this exchange is a state requirement to update the county’s solid waste plan every 10 years. Additionally, in 2004, the Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners and Gwinnett Clean & Beautiful, the County’s Solid Waste Coordinator and Advisory Group heard and became aware of a growing concern related to the collection of garbage, trash, recyclables and yard waste. Some of the problems identified were the growing number of garbage trucks in neighborhoods, garbage cans left at the curb 7 days a week, increased litter and illegal dumping, increased costs for garbage and yard waste pick up and too few items picked up for recycling. That is what is drove the staff of Gwinnett Clean & Beautiful, a 50 member Citizen’s Solid Waste Advisory Board, and other experts to complete a review and evaluation of the current collection and recycling systems. A comprehensive public and stakeholder involvement process is underway (i.e. the reason for emails to fly and advocacy) on changes that might be recommended and could impact our community. Public opinion surveys have been conducted (notice survey on through the KAB website – I have completed). Meetings are being held — I encourage you to attend and voice opinions.

My motivation for responding and attempting to advocate is my concern for the quality of life in our community, the continued economic health of our state and region and reduced energy dependence and increased homeland security of our nation as a legacy for our children and future generations. I base this opinion on my experience in the military, recent deployment to Iraq and work/interest on sustainable communities and growth.

1.Keeping in mind that the trashier a place looks — litter, trash along with graffiti – the more it invites more of the same behavior (read the “The Tipping Point” by Malcolm Galdwell where NYC significantly cut serious crime in the 1990s using this principle) and will lead to the degradation of the quality and value of our neighborhoods. Part of what is being proposed is to address these issues and continue to make Gwinnett a most desirable place to live and raise our families.

You may not be aware but the recycled and recovered material has a significant impact on our state and regions economy in addition to reducing dependence on imported energy. The southeast has some of the strongest market and demand in the nation for these materials – materials needed for U.S Manufacturers (such as paper (largest industry behind agriculture) to compete in the global market. A few statistics worth considering

Across the US recycling industry generated $236 billion per year in (1.1 Million) employment and annual salaries (on par with the US Automotive industry.) In South Carolina – in 2005 the recycling industry supported 37,440 jobs, $1.5 Billion in personal income, $69 Million in tax revenue, and a total economic impact of $6.5 Billion. In North Carolina there are more then 500 businesses employing over 14,000 people. In Georgia, the carpet industry (Mohawk) uses 1/3 of all beverage containers (PET Plastic) recovered in the US for carpet products. Georgia is the 2nd largest pulp and paper industry state in the nation with 15 paper mills that use recycled fiber as a feedstock for production (9 that entirely rely on recycled fiber) and is home to the largest aluminum recycler in the world – Novellis where cans are processed at their Greensboro GA facility. In a 2006 study, the GA recycled plastics industry accounts for $1.5 Billion in sales, 36,000 jobs, and $875 million in salaries and paper represents $10 Billion, employs 25,000 Georgians with a payroll of over $1 Billion. As its stands today, these industries cannot get enough material here in Georgia and the Southeast are shipping materials from across the US as well as Canada and Mexico. My point here is there is a strong demand and market for these recovered materials.

From a solid waste perspective — In 2005, Georgia released a study that approx 36% of all municipal waste disposed of in Georgia was composed of the commonly recyclable products that our state and regional industry cannot get enough of (partially due to competition by China for recycled material imports). This includes 1.8 Million tons of paper, 160,000 tons of plastic bottles, 220,000 tons of glass and 360,000 tons of metals. With the pressure of global competition, finding ways to reduce and eliminate throwing these valuable commodities into the ground is an easy way to enhance and make sure our industrial base here in Georgia stays strong and grows. My parting thought to you is — per the Aluminum Association over $1.2 Billion worth of cans went into a landfill last year (2005).

Beyond macro economics – it makes sense for us locally as well. From rural to urban, there are great examples where even with the low landfill tipping fees it makes sense for a county or city to promote policies for recycling that result in reduced costs to provide trash and recycling services (revenue neutral or positive).

Over the last month on topic that we hear on daily is that of climate change where public discussion has been focused on the contributions of carbon and its impact on the global climate. While I am not advocating a position or opinion one way or another, I do want to provide a perspective to consider. The 3rd largest contributor or sector of carbon and greenhouse gases behind power generation and transportation is waste management and disposal. My point is – if this is a concern for you – this is one area all of us can all help with minimal effort – promote and support the collection and recovery of materials – i.e. put it in the bin.

Secondly, increased material recovery and recycling will significantly reducing our energy dependency and increase our energy security. If all recoverable materials were recovered and put back into reuse, it would save in terms energy over the lifecycle (mining, production and etc..) the equivalent of $1.3 Quadrillion of BTUs which is equivalent to reducing the current national residential power grid demand by 13% — a significant impact.

The dates and locations of the remaining meetings are listed below.

Monday, March 26 at 7 PM Pinckneyville Community Center Norcross

Thursday, March 29 at 7 PM Mountain Park Activity Center Stone Mountain

With the thought of the sacrifices made by those of us who have served in the defense of this great country — I hope you all will go and attend with maybe a different perspective and understanding of why this is an important issue for all of us to understand, work, maybe sacrifice a convenience, better yet - change behavior and just recycle and put it in the bin.