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DEL.ICIO.USNew program a dirty way to treat garbage haulers
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Buddy Johnson was about to step into a meeting when I reached him on his cellphone.
I wanted to talk about Gwinnett’s new waste disposal and recycling program. Johnson was scheduled to meet with his attorney to talk about that same subject — about the program, how it stinks.
In 1988, Johnson started Southern Sanitation Inc., in his words to get a piece of the American Dream. He epitomizes the small-time business owner. He works alongside 14 employees including his wife, collecting and hauling garbage for about 5,000 residential customers in unincorporated Snellville, Grayson, Lawrenceville, Lilburn and Loganville, his hometown.
“I wear many hats,” he told me. “There is no regional manager over me and all that.”
If everything unfolds as scripted, Johnson will lose his business and more than likely be bankrupt, for reasons beyond his control. In January, Gwinnett County will take over waste collection from private haulers in an attempt to streamline and standardize the handling of garbage and recyclables. Under the new plan, two firms — Advanced Disposal Services of Atlanta and Waste Pro Georgia — will serve the county’s 180,000 unincorporated residences.
Contracts for the six collection zones run through 2015. Residents will pay $20.45 per month through June, then the charge drops to $17.86. Yard waste removal will be $10 extra.
The county says standardization will stop illegal dumping, reduce the number of garbage trucks that barrel down the roads and make the removal of garbage more efficient. Gwinnett Clean & Beautiful, the nonprofit agency that will run the new program, even has a slogan: “A Greener Tomorrow Begins Today.”
Perhaps. But some garbage haulers see crimson.
The change means the end of business in Gwinnett for seven hauling companies, including Southern Sanitation. For Johnson, who borrowed and used his own money to launch the business, it’s especially hard. He could end up losing the house he’s shared with his wife and two kids for 15 years.
“In the garbage business, you are constantly buying trash cans and buying trucks,” he said. “You got a three-year note on the [trash] cans. Go buy a truck and it’s a five-year note. So I got a lot of debt. Without operating, I won’t be able to pay my debt.”
Johnson tried to qualify as a county contractor, but his proposal didn’t pass scrutiny. Contract consideration required a $2 million performance bond, something he didn’t have in hand, although he said backers were lined up.
Setting such a high performance bond has led Johnson to speculate that the county wasn’t interested in doing business with bit players. “Basically, this forced the small man out of business,” he said. “No ifs, ands or buts about it. They designed this thing so that only the larger companies could compete. My employees are upset. They are mad. I’ve got one employee who has been with me since I started, and he says he’ll stay with me until the end. What’s worse is that it’s right here at the holidays.
“Ain’t that some perfect timing?”
So Johnson has secured a lawyer, who on his behalf has researched government-run garbage programs across the Southeast.
“They have me in a corner,” Johnson said before going in to meet his lawyer. “I have to fight. Something just doesn’t smell right. I don’t know how to show it or prove it, but this doesn’t pass the smell test.”
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By BobG
November 21, 2008 8:59 PM | Link to this
I will be the first to contribute to a legal fund.
By Cindy
November 21, 2008 9:15 PM | Link to this
This subject has been talked about and talked about and talked about…
Pro’s: ♥35 recyclable items, meaning 7 times less stuff in the landfills. ♥Truck in neighborhood one day a week No quarterly bill to worry about ♥People too sorry to pay for trash service on their own will now have trash service ♥The recycle tub will have wheels ♥People who don’t recycle will get their butts chewed ♥Decreased rates for some
Cons: ♥The company’s who don’t have the monopoly have to get the heck out, loss of jobs ♥No choice for the taxpayers ♥Increased rates for some
I do feel sorry for anyone and everyone who, at no fault of their own, loses their job. However, I am confident that a man who is intelligent and ambitious enough to not only form his own company but also run it successfully for 20 years can and will find either a job to sustain his finances or achieve obtaining a route in another county.
I wish you the best Johnson, as well as the other companies affected.
HOWEVER, with no promise of any reprieve, I believe I would’ve used the money you put towards the lawyer, instead to pay up the mortgage while I pursued possibilities with other counties citizens or in a worst case scenario, a job in other industries.
By Michael H. Smith
November 21, 2008 9:47 PM | Link to this
The jobs Americans won’t do and the people the government wants to screw.
Good God Almighty!
By Cindy
November 21, 2008 10:02 PM | Link to this
Whaddayamean Michael?
By BW
November 21, 2008 10:07 PM | Link to this
“Gwinnett Clean & Beautiful, the nonprofit agency that will run the new program?” Let me get this straight, the commissioners cut the county in half and only gave two contract the right to servive us? And a nonprofit agency decides who I want as my trash service? Maybe I’m wrong but that doesn’t sound like a Free-Enterprise system, look it up folks, sounds more like socialism. It really sounds like that HBO show that tool place in Jersey, I think the boss was named Tony.
Truth is, a bunch of biddies who do not want a trash truck in their gated neighborhoods three times a week have the right connecionts and cash to dictate to the commissioners, wait till you’ll see coming on down the line.
Hey kids, you elected them, I didn’t.
By Michael H. Smith
November 21, 2008 10:08 PM | Link to this
Are you kidding?
By Cindy
November 21, 2008 10:16 PM | Link to this
Which one of us?
I wasn’t.
By Michael H. Smith
November 21, 2008 10:23 PM | Link to this
This guy should have hired all illegals, then they would never have messed with him.
By BW
November 21, 2008 10:27 PM | Link to this
There are no illegals on any of my trash trucks I ever seen. If no one voted for them how did they get elected? Embarrassed?
By Cindy
November 21, 2008 10:32 PM | Link to this
oh. I get it. :(
My hauler is Robinson Sanitation and I’ve always been pleased with the service. Never seen any illegals working for them either.
BW, I too made the “Tony Soprano” comment a few days ago on another site.
By Michael H. Smith
November 21, 2008 10:34 PM | Link to this
When will this blog go digital? I hear it cuts down on the background noise.
By BW
November 21, 2008 10:36 PM | Link to this
Sorry Cindy, missed it, it’s been hit and miss with me of late.
By Cindy
November 21, 2008 10:46 PM | Link to this
It wasn’t on an AJC blog. Why? You’re ok, right?
Michael, you have many things to say tonight, huh? :)
By Michael H. Smith
November 21, 2008 10:52 PM | Link to this
Lets see Cindy…
My comment….This guy should have hired all illegals, then they would never have messed with him.
Your reply…..My hauler is Robinson Sanitation and I’ve always been pleased with the service. Never seen any illegals working for them either.
Is this company one of the new contractors?
By BW
November 21, 2008 10:53 PM | Link to this
Sorry Cindy but it looks like MHS is in his babbling mood, illegals are now blame for not only trash pick-up, but trash in general. I’ll ride off into the suns.., dang, hate when that happens ( gotta get headlights for Silver)….
By Cindy
November 21, 2008 11:03 PM | Link to this
You already know the answer to that Michael. I know you’re pointing out that legitimate business’s got screwed but I’m just trying to relate it to the jobs Americans won’t do…and understand your comment exactly as you meant it. It’s late…I’m tired, so I reckon my brain isn’t fully engaged.
Elaborate?
By Cindy
November 21, 2008 11:08 PM | Link to this
And…how about that crap with nobody wanting to sponsor the name of the stupid stadium? Surprise!…duh.
By Michael H. Smith
November 21, 2008 11:19 PM | Link to this
Now that the static has disappeared I can hear you clearly.
Empirical evidence as we speak Cindy, picking up garbage is not exactly a very attractive job. If there was a job an American wouldn’t want to do then this would likely be one of them. The illegal alien amnesty supporters always slander Americans for not wanting to do some jobs…. don’t work as hard…. blather, blather, blather. What a load of HOOEY!
There are no jobs Americans won’t do and obviously no companies that hires them our government won’t screw.
By BW
November 21, 2008 11:20 PM | Link to this
Cindy here is a perfect example, “Michael H. Smith November 21, 2008 10:23 PM | Link to this
This guy should have hired all illegals, then they would never have messed with him.”
Sorry Cindy, all three of of us share the same trash company, what MHS said was not needed at all. Instead of discussing how the county gave us the shaft, MHS rather do his illegals cause cancer bit. I’m almost think he is a county commissioers plant.
You got it kid, “Stupid”, the perfect name for Bert’s “Field of Dreams”.
By Michael H. Smith
November 21, 2008 11:28 PM | Link to this
Oops… My mistake Cindy. Can’t hear you, the static seems to have returned.
By Cindy
November 21, 2008 11:29 PM | Link to this
Bruce, does that mean I don’t have to be “a space” anymore? Just picking at ya.
Michael, I suppose that’s why I needed clarification. I personally haven’t encountered a job that another nationality would do that I thought I was above doing. I’ve had kids. That means I’ve wiped other people’s butts, I’ve been puked on, I’ve been talked to like I was a dog…a bad dog. I’ve been made to feel invisible, irrelevant, like a million bucks, you name it. What job couldn’t I do? haha.
I think people who feel they’re too elevated to do undesirable jobs simply haven’t been broke enough…yet.
By Cindy
November 21, 2008 11:36 PM | Link to this
Tell ya a secret Michael. In my “keep-box” from when I was a little girl, like 2nd grade I think, there’s a paper titled “When I grow up…” that states I wanted to either be a trash-man or a hit-man. No my parents didn’t send me to a shrink nor did the school refer me to a disciplinary panel. It was long enough ago that they didn’t call the K-9 unit or lockdown the school either. They just graded the paper and sent it home with me. Actually I don’t even remember any reaction from my parents.
Not really relevant, but thought I’d share. :)
By Cindy
November 21, 2008 11:41 PM | Link to this
Sounds like Michael Vick needs to be put in the trash truck compactor. Sorry excuse for a human.
By Michael H. Smith
November 21, 2008 11:41 PM | Link to this
I hear you Cindy. Been there, done that and been broke too. The county could have done a better job than to throw these hard working people into a very bad situation. I just hope those who lose their jobs as a result of all of this can get hired on by these new outfits. It would be a crying A$$ shame if illegal aliens replace them.
By Cindy
November 21, 2008 11:46 PM | Link to this
…and since ya’ll are no longer answering, I suppose that signals my bedtime.
Rick, we got your new blog off to a good start for you. 22 comments at this time when it says your blog won’t be here til Saturday morning, that’s pretty good. haha.
By Cindy
November 21, 2008 11:51 PM | Link to this
Well I bet the two companies who got the monopoly already come fully stocked since they’re not exactly new companies. Ya’ll should participate on BobG’s site too. I like it there, I just wish it was busier. He gets PLENTY of traffic but people don’t post enough.
By BW
November 21, 2008 11:56 PM | Link to this
Cindy what a plant is…is other words, like LT’, only purpose is to destroy any discussion on the sunject at hand…Plant: Slang. something intended to trap, decoy, or lure, as criminals. 8. Slang. a scheme to trap, trick, swindle, or defraud. 9. a person, placed in an audience, whose rehearsed or prepared reactions, comments, etc., appear spontaneous to the rest of the audience. 10. a person placed secretly in a group or organization, as by a foreign government, to obtain internal or secret information, stir up discontent, etc. 11. Theater. a line of dialogue, or a character, action, etc., introducing an idea or theme that will be further developed at a later point in the play: Afterward we remembered the suicide plant in the second act.
By Dot
November 22, 2008 5:00 AM | Link to this
Thank you Rick for your column. It is time for the Gwinnett Citizens to stand up and be counted.
Ms. Wiggins repeatedly told me the majority of trash pickup in Gwinnett was much higher than the proposed.
In a survey by the other paper 49% will be paying more and everyone will be paying additional $10 for yard trash which was including in most trash pickups. (limited)
The Commissioners are snobbish, think they have total control and can do whatever they what. It is time we THE PEOPLE show them different.
Their attitude at the hearings was unbelieveable. They absolutely did not care about the number of jobs being lost during this crisis in America which they have now contributed too. Makes you wonder what else they are coniving?
Where were all you people when Commissioner Greene ran against the “Good Ole Boy”? Worst than Wayne Hill and that was pretty bad.
Noted with interest the problems with Gwinnett Stadium - same sitution - kept quiet and pushed through. Now we have to pay for that too.
Still Proud to be American but greatly ashamed of MANY of my fellow Americans.
“Ask not what your country can do for you; but what you can do for your country” Kennedy, John F
By Poor White Trash
November 22, 2008 8:13 AM | Link to this
Dont worry. The new trash company’s slogan is: Satisfaction guaranteed or double your trash back.
Do da math: 200 thousand homes times 20 bucks a month equals fifty million dollars per year, rounded to the nearest bailout plan.
By PH
November 22, 2008 10:03 AM | Link to this
I am on fixed income, and currently buy “City of Sugar Hill” bags for a total of about $65/year. The new plan will cost almost $230/year. I’ll do my best, but I don’t know if I can generate that much extra trash!
By NOWICUNVME
November 22, 2008 10:28 AM | Link to this
This is what happens when a county wants to run rampant and operate as a dictatorship. Gwinnett County’s budget and operation plans are off the charts. They have a great deal of money coming in. Currently, there is still a hiring freeze in place. The stadium will no doubt eat up alot of tax dollars, at least until it starts to pay for itself. I don’t think this really has much to do with Gwinnett Clean & Beautiful wanting to keep the dirty garbage trucks out of the neighborhoods so often. That doesn’t make any sense. This has to do with monopolizing and greediness. The surplus has to come from somewhere. At first glance, $20.45 per month doesn’t sound like much. Multiply that times 12 months and then again by 180,000. Since the county has contracted to only use Advanced Disposal Services and Waste Pro Georgia, the revenues are split however they want. For the county and these two companies, it’s a win win win win situation. So what if it puts the small garbage businesses out of business? They don’t care about the little people. Just like if you have an accident in Gwinnett County and you need a wrecker service. You get a choice of three depending on where you are at in the county;Statewide, Lance, or Willards. All have contracts with the county and best believe there are some real obese cats running this show. Yep ladies and gents almost like the mafia. There are no jobs for illegals here. The helpers with no licenses even make $13-$15 per hour! Drivers, more than that! They start early and get off early. Benefits are great. Holidays mean extra money, gifts, bonuses and bottles! This would make this one of the most sought after fields to be employed in no?? No illegals wanted here; all these jobs go to the BOC’s, Waste Pros and Advanced Disposal Services family, friends and neighbors. It’s called nepotism people. They swear they don’t engage in it, but the county stinks of it!!
I’m confident Mr. Buddy Johnson will prevail one way or another. He sounds like a survivor. He just has to remember, When God closes one door, he always opens another.
OBAMA08
By jea
November 22, 2008 10:46 AM | Link to this
With a two car garage and the way they build them now, I cannot get two large garbage cans in my garage without leaving one car out or removing my shelves with garden tools out. I could use a small recycling container. I don’t like the idea. I have been using Red Oak and they were wonderful.
By jea
November 22, 2008 11:02 AM | Link to this
By the way. Do we have a choice on the size of the recycle bin? That would help a lot if we had the option of having a smaller one and not one that I am hearing, is about 90 gals like the trash can. We are retired and eat out a lot and have very little to recycle and would be pushing litterly an emty trash can to the curb. Cannot believe this will benefit everyone.
By Roberta Cromlish
November 22, 2008 11:18 AM | Link to this
Nothing like having a (bi) monopoly running sanitation. I propose that for every “glitch” - no trash receptacles to start with, missed pick up, etc. that the trash be taken and left on the doorstep of the Commission or Clean and Beautiful. I’ve been with the same company for years and have always received excellent service. And, just wait, until the unions get a chance at this easy target.
By Raine
November 22, 2008 11:59 AM | Link to this
Residents will pay $20.45 per month through June, then the charge drops to $17.86.
So everyone is complaining that their bill is being reduced??? Maybe we should have a seperate line item on our trash bill and call it “Help Johnson Fund” Every citizen could give Johnson an additional $1.00 out of their paycheck and still pay less than if Johnson picked up the trash…
By NOWICUNVME
November 22, 2008 12:42 PM | Link to this
@ Raine…That’s a difference of only $2.59 monthly. So just for 2009, figuratively speaking, you’re looking at $230 annually for your garbage bill. More if you have any waste removal charges, which was always included. Add to this increasing HOA dues, taxes, ad valorem, electricity, gas and so on and so on. People don’t have jobs. They don’t have benefits. They have to make choices between buying food, and having running water.
The so called contract is made with the contractors, not you, the homeowner. Of course this plan will benefit some. Namely, the ones who don’t need it. From the reports, this contract will run through 2015. The price for us, is not guaranteed, nor contractual. It never is, and will never be. Increasing costs, maintenance, equipment, employees, etc. always* recycles right back around to the taxpayers. In all actuality, we could eventually be paying $30 or more by 2015. I don’t believe Southern Plantation was charging this large a fee. Besides, if they were, we still had a *choice. That’s the key phrase here. They have taken it out of our hands and put it solely in theirs. Prior to this, if anyone had a problem with their trash collector, they simply just switched over to someone else. Under this new *regulation, what choices do you have when you’re not pleased with the service??
Now, do you see what all the hoopla is about? Yet and still, just wait and see what else is in store for the Gwinnett victims. I’m quite sure, the best is yet to come.
OBAMA08
By NOWICUNVME
November 22, 2008 12:52 PM | Link to this
Sorry about the misformatting above. BTW Cindy, please enlighten me about BobG, and his site. I’m not familiar.
By Cindy
November 22, 2008 1:36 PM | Link to this
BobG is a pretty smart fella and demonstrates is regularly on talkgwinnett.com
By Sweet P
November 22, 2008 2:21 PM | Link to this
Anyone notice how I draw trolls like flies to whatever obscure blog I post on?
I’ve been posting on Badie’s Blog for sometime now, with about three other commenters who usually dont spend much time here. There’s one guy who keeps badgering Badie with unfounded and illogical criticism. There’s another guy who is usually OT. And one more who lives with his grandma in her basement and is tapping her wifi. (that’s not all he’s tapping)
Recently, I’ve managed to lure others here in increasing numbers from other blogs because I want the Badie Blog to live. I think he’s a very talented writer. If Succinct Objectivity is the sport then he’s the crown prince.
But I like to support blogging itself, and blogging needs bloggers and lurkers and eyes and hands to click on ads. Where ever I comment, if I comment long enough, I draw the traffic. Sure it’s blog-simple troll traffic at first, Witness the Witlessness above), but soon enough any traffic begets real bloggers.
Rick is a great writer, folks. Enjoy!
BTW: You think I have an ego out of proportion with my talent? Then why have I been banned by Bookman’s and Galloway’s blog?
We need not make more of me in exile than I was before. I saw syntax and tried to right it, I saw diacritical marks and tried to enscribe them, and I saw blogs and tried to elevate them.
Nothing more for me than my just deserts. I endear, I endow, and I endure.
By A Fan
November 22, 2008 3:13 PM | Link to this
Sweet P Color me enamoured! Look how you have single handedly revived this blog! All Rick needed was one encouraging word from you on his behalf and the blog flourishes!
Please, please don’t banish this gem, Rick. Bookman and Galloway are just intimidated by his genius.
All hail Sweet P!!!
By Lee
November 22, 2008 5:57 PM | Link to this
I will tell all of you three things that I do not like about this forced change of the company that provides for my garbage pick up service.
1.) I do not like the loss my my right to CHOOSE whom I will do business with and where I will spend my money. I was not pleased with my service at one time, so I change companies to Robertson’s sanitation and have been pefectly happy with the service ever since. Now, I am being forced to pay the county’s chosen provider for service that I am not sure will be adequate and up to MY standards. It is possible that the service will be good but it is also possible that it will no be very good. If it turns out not to be very good I will not be allowed to solve the problem myself by chosing to go back to my previous provider that gave me excellent service, or chosing to go to another source. Instead I will have to wait for the “government provided” monitors who “will closely monitor service quality and take action against haulers who fail to meet standards established in their contract”. I am perfectly capable of such “monitoring” of service myself and my actions will have far greater effect on solving MY PROBLEMS than any government provided monitoring. I can just see it now, no action will be taken on any of my complaints until a large number of similar complains are lodged against the providers of these services. And what if my complaints are not covered in the “contract” they have with these “haulers”? Does that mean that I will just have to accept things that I do not like?
And If anyone thinks that I appreciate being FORCED to recycle, think again. I accept that recycling is good and would be more than willing to voluntarily do so but I do not like being FORCED. How will this work? Listen to this quote from the website “gwinnwtt clean and beautiful”: “Do I have to recycle?
Yes. A cleaner tomorrow starts with recycling today. Waste haulers will provide residents with two 95-gallon wheeled carts, one for trash and one for recyclables (up to 35 items).”
A better question would have been: “do I have to recycle through the the county’s provider? Or can I chose to recycle through other means?
I prefer to take care of these things myself. And what shall be the consequence if I refuse to recycle through their provider?
2.) We cannot have effective free enterprise when government entities step in and basically “out law” legitament businesses from competing just because they do not like “too many trucks in the neighborhood”. I can tell you that I have not seen that many garbage trucks in my neighborhood, and the one’s I do see do not bother me at all. Maybe, if those who are concerned about too may trucks on the road and the impact they have on our “clean air” would simply take their own cars and trucks off the road instead of working so hard to deny the right of travel to others we would see and hear less of this nonsense.
3.) This is just another case of socialism and we were not really given a say in this matter. The way you give the people a real say in what is done in the county is to allow them, ALL OF THEM, an opportunity to VOTE on the matter. This was the type of change that should have been brought to us via the ballot box instead of the “back door” where only 5000 supporters were allowed to give their input.
Probably the only real input we had was when we elected these county officials. And we will have to remember that the next time we elect county officials.
Sincerely,
Lee
By Cindy
November 22, 2008 6:38 PM | Link to this
Lee, It’s within your garbage that they’ll determine whether or not you’re recycling. If there are recyclable in your household garbage, that’s the problem.
Jea, You don’t have to take the recycle thing to the street until it’s got some stuff in it.
By Lee
November 22, 2008 7:20 PM | Link to this
Cindy:
Thanks for clearing things up for me about recycling. You said:
“Lee, It’s within your garbage that they’ll determine whether or not you’re recycling. If there are recyclable in your household garbage, that’s the problem.”
And if I mistakenly put something in with my household garbage, can you tell me exactly what the consequence would be? A fine, maybe? Or maybe they will just annoy me with a letter of reprimand, as one might reprimand a child? Or maybe a letter of instruction that would help to educate this poor ignorant soul? Maybe they will punish me by refusing to pick up my garbage? Or maybe they hope to force me to recycle without applying any kind of consequences for failing to do so?
Does it not strike you as just a little bit insulting that the county has sought to take control of our choices and limit our freedoms simply because they feel the need to FORCE us to recycle?
Believe me when I say that they would have better results from me if they keep recycling on a voluntary basis. I can get very stubborn and creative when I am being forced to do something, especially if it is something that I would normally support. I might not support it anymore!
Lee
By Cindy
November 22, 2008 7:37 PM | Link to this
I get what you’re saying Lee. And I even understand the big picture you’re describing.
I’m pretty sure if just the occassional thing is in your trash, no recycle-ninja’s are come busting in. :)
For me, I’ve had the little recycle tubs since I moved here in January but i’ve been too lazy to use them because my driveway is way long and downhill. I could just picture trying to put it on top of the rolling bin, then tilting it, bumping down my not so smooth driveway and all that crap scattering and getting on me.
My cussing and fit-pitching would be heard by neighboring states.
Now the one time I did decide “no dangit, i’m gonna recycle, even if I have to make two trips down the stupid driveway!”…I went out to get the recycle thing from up on top of something in the carport and when I went to grab it, a doggone bird flew out of it. I watched and realized the bird lived there, so I just left it alone.
Fully half of my trash will recycle, so I’m looking forward to a big rolling recycle tub. Now if only my driveway were paved.
By Ralph
November 22, 2008 8:31 PM | Link to this
Cindy appears to be a house shill for Gwinnett Vlean and Green.
This entire transacxtion should be examined by the DA. It is hard for me to imagine that the two largest trash companies in Gwinnett didn’t qualify to be in the new convoluted set-up. Today, as I read the letter from my new trash company that my rates are going to go up 33% for six months, then ‘drop’ to only a 13% increase I also read Butch Conway’s name at the bottom of the letter. There is definitely an odor emanating from this entire fiasco.
I am getting two 95 gallon containers. One for garbage and one for recyclables. The problem is I don’t have room in my garage for two containers. The HOA rules say I can’t leave them outside. I will solve that problem by taking my recycling container to my son’s house and storing it in his basement. If and when I get a normal size container( such as the one I have now) I will recycle again.
We didn’t need the government to get involved in trash collection and certainly not the way that they handled this.
The current collectors deserve to be paid their normal termination fee, they didn’t stop service. The homeowner didn’t stop the service. Who then, should pay the reasonable termination fee?? Why Gwinnett Clean and Green, of course.
How ‘bout that CIndy, sound fair to you?
By Cindy
November 22, 2008 8:56 PM | Link to this
A house shill? Surely you jest. I’m but a person with a free voice, just like you. No need to acussate things or insinuate suppositions of me being “a plant”.
I’m relatively certain you didn’t see my name down there beside Butch Conways, so I’m more than a little perplexed at the whole scene you set up with that, but yeah your proposal sounds like a real winner.
Maybe you could take the idea to your HOA to store the recycle bin out back…ya know…in some aesthetically pleasing way. I’d be upset too if I had all those rules to live by. That’s why I live on some bigger land where my neighbors don’t have to hear me singing in the shower.
How in the heck did I end up being the county punching bag? All I do is come here and share my words, as everyone else does. Oh well, bring it…I can handle a little ridicule.
By justin
November 23, 2008 1:34 AM | Link to this
Rick, you did a fine job covering both sides of this issue. I know a lot of work went into researching the propsosals accepted by GC&B. You are very honorable for not stooping to the temptation of just talking to an unsuccessful proposer. I’m sure your research showed the losing business’ thought they could charge nearly double for a contract that would save them money on operations. I guess it’s the American way to take windfall profits from the government. Apparently GC&B doesn’t agree with that, remember they are not “government” and just proved it isn’t business as usual. Too bad they killed the goose trying to layer it in gold. Greed.
By Michael H. Smith
November 23, 2008 6:55 AM | Link to this
. @ By Cindy November 21, 2008 11:51 PM
Well I bet the two companies who got the monopoly already come fully stocked since they’re not exactly new companies.
Could be, though, with the increased workload they may not be well stocked enough. I certainly hope all the former “legal” employees of these independents haulers can hire on with the old company new contractors. Personally, I don’t have a dog in this hunt so to speak, my sanitation service is with the City of Lawrenceville. That is likely not going to change.
For “Buddy the Sanitation Guy” I’m afraid he is being sent to the government crusher. Your opening advice was about as good as he could have got, Cindy. After reviewing what seems “the county’s overall objectives”: as an independent hauler he really never had any means of competing. Even if a collective of independent haulers had formed, he and they would be on their way out. Capitalism is brutal Mr. Badie. Darwin probably said it best:
It is not the strongest of the species that survive, nor the most intelligent, but the ones most responsive to change. — Charles Darwin
However, Dear Leader Elect Obama has a plan for change.
http://change.gov/agenda/economy_agenda
Unfortunately for “Buddy the Sanitation Guy” he can’t fly into Washington D.C. aboard a lavish corporate jet like the “poor little rich four” from The BIG 3 - no $10 million in yearly salary and compensations tucked away. No loses mounting into the billions from bad management decisions. No lobby on K Street. No employees on his books appear at a $73 per hr. billable rate. No legacy costs that are timeless which only the Queen of England should be so accustomed to receive.
For “Buddy the Sanitation Guy” who might have reaped a couple a hundred bucks more than his competitors per account no Congressional bailout will ever be considered. Neither should one be given to the “poor little rich four” from The BIG 3 that flew into town on those lavish corporate jets.
Ironic how our government recycles an economy?
By Cindy
November 23, 2008 7:46 AM | Link to this
Thanks Michael. :) And it wouldn’t bother me bit to see some of these guys get hired on with our new haulers.
I wonder what each of the bids actually looked like. Justin’s got my mind wondering and I’d like to see if some did bid way over the appropriate amount.
They say when you find yourself in hole, the first step to getting out is to first stop digging.
By Linda Groetzinger
November 23, 2008 8:00 AM | Link to this
I live in Lilburn. We have had a number of trash services over the years. The one we have now is Waste Industries. Their service has been great. They are the cheapest and the people in my neighborhood that have them are very upset that we are losing them and also having to pay a fee to close their service. I understand what the county is doing but not happy about it. We are on a fixed income and having the service we have now helped us greatly in our finances.
By jea
November 23, 2008 10:45 AM | Link to this
Cindy, it is not that I mind taking my recyclables out to the curb, it is I have no room for 2 90gal containers in my garage.
By jea
November 23, 2008 10:55 AM | Link to this
My HOA said that we can put containers in back of house as long as not seen from the front street. The problem is that my house has the neighborhood street in front and a major street in the rear of the house. I cannot put the container there either. I would not want to see people driving by the rear of the house pointing to the big ugly garbage can in my back yard by my patio. I would like to work out with the hauler to just let me use the small recycle container instead of the large one.
By Cindy
November 23, 2008 1:39 PM | Link to this
They’re probably doing it that way since so many more items will be able to go inside the container. It wouldn’t fit in the small tub, plus the small tub doesn’t have a lid. The big one’s pretty much gotta look better.
By Corners guy
November 23, 2008 2:00 PM | Link to this
This new plan costs 60% more than what I’ve been paying to Allied Waste under an agreement negotiated by my homeowners association. How did Connie Wiggins manage to negotiate such a bad deal? We are empty nesters who discard an average of two bags of trash a week. At the new rate we’ll be paying $2.50 a bag just to throw our garbage away. I’d rather drive my trash to the dump myself. How do I opt out of this?
By Ralph
November 23, 2008 2:04 PM | Link to this
Ask “Cindy”, she appears to have all of the answers.
By Inout
November 23, 2008 3:08 PM | Link to this
Ask “Cindy”, she appears to have all of the answers
She gets old, doesn’t she? Too insecure to be posting on a blog, that’s for sure
By Cindy
November 23, 2008 4:40 PM | Link to this
Inout,if a little insecurity is what you perceive from me, that’s something I can live with.
Ralph, misery loves company, doesn’t it? It just doesn’t fit your mold if there’s one or two in the mix who don’t constantly repeat your same ol rhetoric.
You two are some miserable people.
By nana
November 23, 2008 4:48 PM | Link to this
I am very upset about this new trash service in Gwinnett and it sounds like others on this blog are as well. We currently have trash service with Waste Pro (one of the trash companies that won the contract). I have had service with them for almost one year after they sent flyers in our neighborhood. They are very reliable and never leave any trash in the culdesac nor do they leave the large container in front of someone elses house. We had BFI, Waste Industries and Robertson at one point or another. They all either left trash in the culdesac (that apparently misssed the truck) and Waste Industries kept raising their prices. We currently pay Waste Pro $45.51 a quarter or $15.17 per month. The new rate (until June 2009) will be 26% more and after June 2009 will be 15% more with the same company once the county gets involved. Seems to me that Waste Pro’s charge should be less with an increase in customers instead it’s higher. I have requested information via e-mail from all county commissioners and have only rec’d a response from Lorraine Green who basically said ‘I find it hard to believe your costs will increase significantly’. I did hear from Ms. Wiggins with Gwinnett Clean and Beautiful who said she was responding on behalf of commissioner Nasuti. I have asked why there is an increase in price and if this extra money was going to the county. While I understand $2.00-$3.00 per month isn’t a lot from each household it’s a lot collectively. I have posed this question in each of my e-mails and have yet to receive a response to that particular question. I agree there is something seriously wrong with this and I don’t think it’s possible for anyone to “opt out.”
By JVB
November 23, 2008 7:28 PM | Link to this
The contracts were competed and the lowest bidders for each zone won — the ending business model of “open” competition was not an efficient or cost effective. Servicing a zone by one provider can be done with less equipment, labor and fuel — so will cost less out of the back pocket then the up to 7 providers running the same routes — those is a volume business — those that can move more volume over less distance will cost less - nothing more then good business sense. For those that won — more drivers and equipment will be needed - I suspect as normally occurs in service contracts that many will not be unemployed or trucks not used — they will be employed or sold to those that competed and won the contracts — no different then how business is supposed to work — best value based on productivity and efficiency.
By woodie
November 24, 2008 7:23 AM | Link to this
At first when I heard the plan, knowing that Gwinnett has had a lot of problems with illegal dumping, I thought it was a good plan. However, I assumed most the contracted companies would be the same as what we have today. Having only two contracted companies is a really bad idea. Allied Waste was not one of them and they provided me excellent service for the past 11 years. So the idea came from a good place but the implementation is not so good. We should have more contractors and possibly choices for homeowners. This plan has gone awry.
By Ralph
November 24, 2008 9:07 AM | Link to this
JVB gave me a good laugh. Open competition isn’t effective? Wow, a thoroughbred socialist. I don’t know how much more effective you can get than excellent service at a much cheaper price( 33% initially, then 13% for a short period). The person who thinks that the rates won’t go up substantially after 2010 also thinks this current plan is tops. If it is such a great deal for the consumers JVB, why are people wanting to opt out?
By NOWICUNVME
November 24, 2008 10:01 AM | Link to this
@ JVB…If these two companies were the lowest bidders, then why did my montly payment increase? I have Waste Pro now. I have had no problems whatsoever with Waste Pro and their employees are always professional and courteous. However, I fail to understand why with such a high percentage increase of business, we aren’t getting a decrease. Do we ever get a break? Those savings should have been passed on to us. Instead, they increased the cost, and put the savings in the pockets of all the fat cats instead of ours. To make matters worse, they try to insult our intelligence by trying to make us believe it’s all about efficiency and pollution. It’s all about the monopoly and control. Who’s next to follow suit? Verizon Wireless? Comcast? Direct TV? Georgia Power? Hey! I’m paying the taxes on this property! Don’t you think I should have the right to choose my garbage hauler?
For any of you considering trying to “opt out”, be careful, because you might be sleeping with the fishes! This whole idea smells, smacks, and sucks! If I had any say about the matter, it’d be flushed with those “jiffyjohns”.
OBAMA08
By NOWICUNVME
November 24, 2008 10:09 AM | Link to this
P.S. I think JVB is operating incognito as either CEO of one of the chosen complanies, or some type of affiliate under Gwinnett County BOC. Reveal yourself!!
By ds
November 24, 2008 10:10 AM | Link to this
There is a group forming to fight this action. Send info to Trashgwinnett@gmail.com to help stop this.
By LOL
November 24, 2008 11:06 AM | Link to this
Reveal yourself !
By Meister Brau
November 24, 2008 11:19 AM | Link to this
The thought of being forced to recycle…!? SCARY. sounds like my old homeland of Germany. Gov’t inspectors go thru trash to make sure you don’t ‘throw away’ recyclable items. If found in trash you get fined ! It lokks like gwinnett is looking more and more like socialists. Might go back to Dueschland, at least I can go fast on Autobahn ;-)
By Maryanne
November 24, 2008 11:25 AM | Link to this
I’m glad this is coming to Gwinnett! I am so tired of seeing dirty baby diapers all over the road. This is caused from people too cheap to pay for trash pickup when they live 10 per house. I am looking forward to the change
By Maryanne
November 24, 2008 11:25 AM | Link to this
I’m glad this is coming to Gwinnett! I am so tired of seeing dirty baby diapers all over the road. This is caused from people too cheap to pay for trash pickup when they live 10 per house. I am looking forward to the change
By what??
November 24, 2008 12:27 PM | Link to this
Maryanne…..WHAT? you must be high to think that this will solve the problem of ‘dirty diapers all over the road’ AND ’ 10 per house” Dirty diapers on the road are usaully from lazy azz people who don’t want to fin a proper place ie trash can to place said diaper. The 10 to house is a whole ‘nother subject for a different blog, WAKE_UP!!
By Twynn
November 24, 2008 1:27 PM | Link to this
To all you people who are focusing so much attention on the trash plan:
So many real problems that you could direct you energy toward but instead you dwell on this and look for conspiracy’s where there are none.
Your county is trying to make improvements but you’re fighting it and tearing it down before you even give it a chance to make a difference.
By Ralph
November 24, 2008 2:06 PM | Link to this
Make improvements?? How do you make improvements to a system that was working for the vast majority of the citizens. I currently recycle, have my garbage picked-up and it cost me less. If you can point to the ‘improvement’ I would appreciate it,
Maryanne, you have a real problem with reality.
By Karl Marx
November 24, 2008 2:13 PM | Link to this
…incrementalism….little by little so we don’t notice or mind what is going on until BANG!! You have no voice over your life.
By ResonantNiteowler
November 24, 2008 4:14 PM | Link to this
It seems as though because so many people at meetings disapproved of this proposal, it is now being forced on us as the only solution to a problem that is, always has been & will continue to be more of a personal ethics/cultural problem. People who follow the law do not litter. Those who don’t will continue on as usual.
Since residents will have only weekly same-day pickup of waste from a one 95-gallon wheeled carts (dirty diapers would not go in the recycle tub) how is this really going to address & reduce the problems with littering that is being created by all these over occupied single homes? There are houses out there now that have a lot of trash bags along with a tub every pickup day.
We attended every meeting on this plan & was totally against this without a trial period to see if it would actually work. Also, there is nothing in this plan for disabled homeowners who live on very reduced incomes & have limited mobility.
By Carllton Messick
November 24, 2008 7:08 PM | Link to this
This is one of those, gotcha! programs, that it seems like government is good at. Same as the Stadium situation. People, this is nothing new. This same program was instigated back in the 70’s and was ruled illegal and unconstitutional. Back then we did get to vote on proposals. The program is strictly against the Free Enterprise system of our Nation. The county is not furnishing you anything except to put you in a debt to someone of their choosing (The good old boy system) and acting as a collection agency. Someone is eventually going to want to be paid for collecting these fees, (as they call it ). People, this is not the way! If Gwinnett wants a sanitation department then they should do like they did about the fire dept. when I came to Gwinnett, in 1968, we had one fire dept in the county, in Norcross. We now have one of the finest departments in the country. We all pay taxes for these services. With the amount they will be collecting, plus what it is going to cost the taxpayer for the Stadium (another Gotcha! program) they could have started their own sanitation department there-by creating jobs for the citizens of Gwinnett and furnishing a service. I Forget exactly what year, but someone needs to check the archives of the Gwinnett Daily News and see just what they did rule at that time. A lot of citizens at that time, took their own garbage to the land fills. I did and still do, and would like to continue to make my own debts. Until they form their own tax paid Sanitation Dept. I think that if it was illegal back then, it still is today. Another question in my mind along with the water runoff fee is - We can take taxes off on State and Federal, but if this is another “fee” do we need to check with the IRS. I didn’t see a provision for itemizing fees on my forms.Tax is Tax regardless of what it is called, but to satisfy the IRS, do we need to have it shown as a tax?With times like we have today, i believe the people would be better served to let these Trash collectors operate as usual and let people that want to haul their own garbage to the landfill, do so. The trucks on the roads don,t bother me near as much as the Garbage thrown out , coming from the fast food and convenience stores along the roadways everyday. This will not correct this trash at all!I am too old to fight the establishment anymore, I will do whatever we have to do. To Spread The Wealth Around!We are all going to be eating chicken, while Paylin is eating high on the Moose and laughing.
By Carlton Messick
November 24, 2008 7:19 PM | Link to this
The Slogan ” A Greener Tomorrow Begins Today ” was written for the lucky collectors . “A Cleaner Tomorrow Begins Today ” is a Slogan for the losers- after their pockets have been cleaned.
By Carlton Messick
November 24, 2008 7:20 PM | Link to this
The Slogan ” A Greener Tomorrow Begins Today ” was written for the lucky collectors . “A Cleaner Tomorrow Begins Today ” is a Slogan for the losers- after their pockets have been cleaned.
By Angry in Gwinnett
November 24, 2008 7:57 PM | Link to this
I, for one, will NOT be paying my new company Jan 1st. I am totally against this plan that was snuck in without us voting on it. I am perfectly happy with my old company. Let the trash pile up! Wiggins created this mess, she can clean it up!
By Angry in Gwinnett
November 24, 2008 8:02 PM | Link to this
There is a board of Commissioners meeting Dec 16th 7:00 at the Gwinnett Justice Center in Lawrenceville. Be there and tell the commissioners in person what you think of this plan. IT STINKS!! (0f payoffs and corruption)
By Legal Dumping Allowed
November 24, 2008 8:14 PM | Link to this
Don’t forget the election Nov. 2010.
By Carl M
November 24, 2008 9:22 PM | Link to this
People You don’t get it! It is not the cost but the way it is trying to be implemented. Denying free interprise,socialistic tactics. Rick, tear off this blog and take it to the courthouse and use it as a carpet runner for them to walk on. It should be a mile long before Dec the 16th. thanks ,carl
By stone cold
November 24, 2008 10:29 PM | Link to this
Free enterprise, free market, free trade? I gave up on those ideas when I put away my mother goose storybook collection and found myself waking up to the harsh reality of manipulation, corruption and fraud.
By Sohsha Lizahm
November 25, 2008 12:47 AM | Link to this
This whole mess reminds me of a bumper sticker I saw the other day: “Don’t Fight City Hall…BECOME City Hall.” Perhaps that is our only remaining solution.
And by the way, not only will I be paying more, but I’m also being forced to use the same waste hauler I once fired for incompetence.
By jea
November 25, 2008 6:22 AM | Link to this
I still want to know how we can get 2 93 gal containers in a two car garage without leaving out one of the cars. I can barely get my 1998 chrysler in the garage now. I have a freezer in front of a jeep and have to back the jeep out of the garage to get anything out of the up right refrig/frezzer. Yes, I could get rid of the current vehicles and get me two PT Cruisers but at our ages in the 7o’s it is hard to get in and out of these cars. Plus we have little to recycle and believe me their are NO diapers.
By Dano
November 26, 2008 12:45 PM | Link to this
What really stinks about this is how the local government used socialist tactics to enforce their will on the people. Now, they refuse to stand in and pay the termination fees to these companies they fired. Additionally, they saw a revenue making opportunity by adding the collection fee to our taxes. How can that be legal? Our local government is out of control. The people need to revolt against this.
By DS
November 28, 2008 8:33 AM | Link to this
New web site to help stop this action www.trashgwinnett.com
Everyone needs to be at the Tuesday business session meeting at 2 pm and the December 16th 7pm meeting to let out “leaders” know how we feel.
By kevin
November 30, 2008 3:19 PM | Link to this
go to www.trashgwinnett.com and fight this !
By Smitty
November 30, 2008 7:26 PM | Link to this
Just read the article that apears in the AJC in regard to the trash problem in Gwinnett along with some of the Comments.
In regards to the trucks barreling around the county:
First most residents are at work when the trash trucks come through. Second: We have only 2 haulers that come through our area, both on the same day. Third: Fed EX and UPS comes through our neighborhood at least 2 times a day 5 days a week. Fourth: Three schools send school buses through our neighborhood twice a day each day school is in session.
These points shoots down the idea that we have to many trash trucks on the road.Are they going to regulate Fed Ex and UPS next?
This whole thing involving trash collection is a power play by the Gwinnett Clean and Beautiful in order to strip your right to free enterpirse. They will control the cost of the business and raise rates when they want in order to satisfy their goals.
They could have told current haulers to provide recycle bins for their customers. This would make more sense than to have a person go out of business and jobs lost to companies out of county.
This plan will not stop illegal dumping it will only encourage it. High fees may be one cause for illegal dumping,
By Angela M
December 2, 2008 7:47 AM | Link to this
Buddy, I feel for you. I have had good service from your company for 7 years and think it is horrible that this is happening to you and your family.
By angry in gwinnett
December 3, 2008 10:28 PM | Link to this
Angela M, go to www.trashgwinnett.com for information on what you can do to help stop this injustice!! It is NOT TOO LATE to stop it, but we CANNOT be silent! from a Southern Sanitation employee who is in jepordy of losing my job. Thanks for your kind words and your support!
By angry in gwinnett
December 3, 2008 10:29 PM | Link to this
Angela M, go to www.trashgwinnett.com for information on what you can do to help stop this injustice!! It is NOT TOO LATE to stop it, but we CANNOT be silent! from a Southern Sanitation employee who is in jepordy of losing my job. Thanks for your kind words and your support!
By angry in gwinnett
December 3, 2008 10:30 PM | Link to this
Angela M, go to www.trashgwinnett.com for information on what you can do to help stop this injustice!! It is NOT TOO LATE to stop it, but we CANNOT be silent! from a Southern Sanitation employee who is in jepordy of losing my job. Thanks for your kind words and your support!
By Bout Time!
December 6, 2008 10:38 AM | Link to this
Good news!! At least 2 companies are sueing the county over this trash plan! go to www.gwinnettdailypost.com and read the article in Saturday’s paper. There is hope to regain our freedom of choice!! Hats off to Southern Sanitation and Sanitation Solutions!
By barbarar
December 7, 2008 2:49 PM | Link to this
I’m glad to hear someone is suing because I think what they are doing may be illegal. The county is not providing this service so how can it legally be put on our tax bill? I’m single and my neighbor is single. We share trash pickup because it’s stupid for both of us to pay for a service when we can combine our efforts. The cost will go up for me. If the county is not going to provide the service, I want to be able to choose my vendor as I do everything else. I recycle now and am happy they will increase this but they could do that without forcing us to do what they choose without our input. This is just like the baseball stadium and I for one am tired of their political power plays.
By bodog
December 8, 2008 7:51 PM | Link to this
I thought recycling was reserved for the community service weekend warriors at the recycling bank. Now i’m gonna feel like I just got sentenced to life in the trash pile.
By bodog
December 8, 2008 7:53 PM | Link to this
I thought recycling was reserved for the community service weekend warriors at the recycling bank. Seems like Gwinnett will be puttin alot of those folks out of business too. What will they do now—clean toilets @ the Gwinnett Stadium? I feel like I just got sentenced to life in the trash pile.
By Blognostibator
December 9, 2008 7:56 AM | Link to this
Speaking of recycling. To save lives, I suggest that GM, Ford, and Chrysler build auto recycling plants juxtaposed adjacently, kitty corner, and directly across the street from their assembly plants. To save lives, they simply need to drive the shiny new POS’s they just completed from the assembly plant directly into the recycling plant for crushing, burning, and salvaging. No motorists would be hurt in the manufacture of said autos. No motorists stranded at 2am in gangland. No motorists ripped off by mafia tactics in the showrooms.
Then the CEO’s and all of middle, lower, and upper mgt needs to stick their heads in the toilet. See all the saved lives!
The Toyotathon continues.