The audience erupted in cheer as Rick Gutowski spoke Thursday, setting the stage for others who came to hand deliver a message to local officials: Stay out of our trash.
First to speak after a presentation at Clarkston Junior High School about potential changes to local garbage hauling and handling practices, Gutowski, an Independence Township resident, said he felt creating a solid waste authority as proposed would lead to greater costs in the long term.
‘Is the township already operating at such a level of efficiency that’their intervention will make resident’s garbage pickup better?? he asked.
Audience reaction gave Independence Township Supervisor Dave Wagner and Springfield Township Supervisor Mike Trout, who set up the meeting, they said, to provide residents with accurate information about a recent study, a glimpse at what the evening held.
‘This is ridiculous,? said Wagner later in reaction to the community retort he received Thursday. ‘This is a good thing happening. (The consultants) want us to keep looking at it; if there are additional studies that need to be done on the technology, it won’t come out of the township’s pocket at all.?
Trout did not return a phone call seeing follow-up comments.
Several hundred showed up at the meeting, which was taped for broadcast on local cable stations, and heard from Resource Recycling Systems (RRS), an Ann Arbor-based firm retained earlier this year to evaluate residential garbage hauling and recycling practices and provide information on the potential for cutting edge ‘conversion technology? to seven North Oakland communities.
But many residents seemed to arrive with their minds made up, with most opposing the idea of transitioning to a single-hauler system, as recommended by RRS.
‘I think individual choices are pretty important,? said Independence Township resident Pam Akehurst prior to Thursday’s meeting. ‘We should be able to shop where we want, and shopping for a garbage service is no different than shopping anyplace else. It would be like the government saying ‘Folks, you’re only going to buy from this one jewelry store or this one grocery store from now on.?
Ed Stout of Springfield Township had a similar opinion.
‘If you have a family doctor or a dentist that you really appreciate and respect, would you want somebody saying ‘No, you’re going to have to get this other guy??? he asked. ‘No, I’m paying the bill; I’ll keep who I want.?
Many who attended the meeting currently use Smith’s Disposal and were quick to offer words of support for the local company.
‘If it’s not broke don’t fix it,? said George White of Independence Township. ‘Smith’s doesn’t rest on their laurels. Their recycling program far exceeds what most communities have.?
Independence Township, White noted, already ‘has a lot of issues, a lot of budget constraints.?
‘Don’t dilute your energies in this protect that will take away from more crucial concerns in just keeping the boat afloat,? he told township officials.
Vince Alonzi wanted to know whether the company or companies chosen to provide services would be ‘an active community partner.?
‘Smith’s always supports the Rotary, local athletes (and others),? Alonzi said as the audience, cheering in agreement, made his words inaudible. ‘They’ve picked up whatever I asked them to pick up. Sometimes, yeah, I have to pay a little extra, but they never fail to pick it up, they never miss a day, their rates are reasonable and they’re a part of the community. You’ll never see Waste Management supporting the Rotary Club.?
But Steve Stiles told officials that, although he is a satisfied Smith’s customer, he wanted to make sure his message was clear.
‘My fear is that you’ll leave here tonight thinking we’re all a bunch of Homers for Smith’s,? he said. ‘It’s not who has the contract; it’s the premise that the service is provided by a single government agency. Now, if I’m dissatisfied I can, at my own leisure and my own good time, do my due diligence. I can make my own choice.?
Many were also upset to learn the county spent $75,000 to conduct the first phase of the CCIRF study, which involved Independence and Springfield townships, as well as Brandon, Groveland, Waterford, West Bloomfield and White Lake.
Others, however, said keeping an open mind was important.
‘I commend (the townships) them for looking into the proposal,? said Phil Bovensiep, Independence Township. ‘And I don’t expect (RRS) to do the study for free. I came to hear the facts and that’s all I want to hear.?
Jim Reed, also of Independence Township, expressed a similar opinion prior to the meeting.
‘I don’t understand all the ramifications of what they’re proposing, but I’m going to keep an open mind and hear their case,? he said. ‘There was a lot of objection to government doing things, but I’m not opposed to that; the federal government does some pretty good things. If we could reduce the use of landfills and increase amount of recycling, that would be very positive. I don’t know if that can be accomplished, but it’s worth looking into.?
Trevor Keiser contributed to this story.