Editor, The News:
We have some concerns regarding replacing our current waste collection with a publicly funded and administrated waste service.
We have gone to the trouble of getting price quotes from the private service providers, and found one that was half the price of our previous provider. This savings allowed us to purchase a bear-proof garbage container.
If Maple Ridge council implements a waste collection service, we will be paying 50 per cent more than we are now.
Are the mayor and council looking at both sides of the whole picture or just charging ahead without considering the full damage they may be causing?
Adding more municipal employees to administer the program is not cost effective. They will require pay increases, benefits, and if they are union, they’ll go on strike when they don’t get what they want.
Mayor and council will be putting waste collection companies out of business. Some of these people actually live in our community, and not only that, they are paying business licenses to operate here.
The recycling end of it employs special needs individuals. How do you propose to provide new jobs for all these people after they lose their existing employment, and businesses?
A referendum would cost $70,000. And based on the past municipal election, the bulk of this community won’t even come out to vote. And if the TransLink vote is another example, the bulk won’t even return a vote through the mail.
The money for a referendum would be better spent on the Caring Place so homeless people have at least a central location to go to as opposed to being chased all over Maple Ridge, and being a visible nuisance particularly on garbage days.
Being constructive and proactive in providing what the community doesn’t have as opposed to getting involved in garbage pick-up, which we do have, would be more acceptable. We don’t need bigger government, more city employees, and ultimately higher taxes to cover all of this.
What makes you think Maple Ridge needs to be in the garbage business?
As mayor and council, their mandate is to promote business, not eliminate it, contributing to unemployment.
John and Marie Robson
Maple Ridge