Dear Editor:
(In response to: ‘Consider common waste hauler,? The Citizen, Feb. 14, page 7):
We are disheartened to read Mr. DePalma’s letter and the article in The Citizen regarding Brooks Patterson’s involvement in a solid waste disposal plan for Groveland Township.
More disturbing is the insinuation that the Mt. Holly property (commonly referred to by us old timers as the ‘Stablex? property) is being eyed as a void needing to be filled by some need of Oakland County’s executive branch.
We are fully aware this letter won’t do anything to stop the waste of money on a government study. We hope our suggestions and comments will at least be added to the ‘study? for consideration.
First: As the lowest density township in Oakland County, with the best recreational State parks in the immediate area ? we suggest a township mission statement reflecting our special geographic features, land usage, and population density.
Second: We admit we have not attended meetings nor kept up on possible use of the ‘Stablex? property. Our hope would be there is a good recreational use appropriate for proximity to Mt Holly, Groveland Oaks, Heron Lake and camping, etc. We don’t know why a water park or off road vehicle park would be unacceptable for this property. We DO know the aquifer hasn’t moved. We DO know that the proximity of this property to the above mentioned recreational areas requires strict control of whatever odors and air pollution would emit from that area.
Third: We are not opposed to modern waste management. Recycling will become more important with increases in energy costs. These facilities should be located in currently zoned properties in the county doing waste management currently.
We are opposed to creating any type of disposal location in Groveland Township. We create less waste than any other township in Oakland County, simply based on the population and commercial property numbers. This would make as much sense as shipping waste from Canada to Michigan for disposal. It is not acceptable to use this pristine rural land as the dumping ground for more populated areas.
Fourth: We live on a private drive with ten neighbors. We maintain our road with our own funds. At one time we tried to have everyone use the same disposal company to cut down on big truck traffic on the road, and have waste at curbside one day out of the week. It didn’t last the year. Individuals expect different service from the company they choose to hire. This is called competition. It is the way America conducts a healthy, capitalistic economy. There is no room for socialistic tactics that will require oversight for accountability. This magically happens in a free market without government intervention.
As our little experiment proved, our road has not taken any more funds to maintain just because two or three disposal companies service the people on our road. If 11 neighbors couldn’t be kept happy by one company for even one year, what do you think an entire township will do?
We received a flier for a new disposal company with a different program. I’m sure some will want to try them out. That’s the way it should be.
Jerry and Jeannetta Carter
Groveland Township