For the first time in 3 1/2 years my garbage can was tagged at the curb for being too large.
This after the city raised my garbage fees by double. Makes sense to me. Double the fees and provide half the service. The garbage truck is in front of the house for an average of 15-30 seconds, four times a month. A great hourly rate don’t you think? I am now required to either buy a tag allowing a second can pick up or take the garbage to the dump paying again for this service. I wonder who contracts the service at the dump? Looks to be another cash grab.
The city will argue that it is now allowing yard waste to be picked up more often. So what? This is a service that should have been provided long ago and at no charge.
I looked into service in Vancouver and Comox and found two cans are acceptable in Vancouver and one large 120-litre can in Comox. The city has not taken the best interest of it’s citizens in mind again. One has to wonder what a family of four or five will do. What about someone that is disposing of diapers?.
I now see a number of things happening. Human nature being what it is garbage will be found on the steps of city hall and in front of Charlie C’s residence. Perhaps he won’t mind picking it up and paying for the added fees when he takes it to the dump. The ditches and vacant lots around Campbell River will become garbage dumps and tourists arriving from other parts of the world will wonder what has happened to our beautiful ocean side city.
The city will then have to hire more workers to clean up the mess again at further costs to the tax payers.
I see no harm in allowing one larger 120-litre can or two 80-litre cans. If other cities can do this why not here?
If the contractor that is providing this service cannot hire men of average strength to put the garbage in their trucks then perhaps another contractor should be found. May I suggest the one that services the Comox Valley?
By the way, I just came back from England. You know, the country with twice the population and about 50 times less space? They provide two cans per household; one for recyclable waste and one for household waste. Both of these cans are 150 litres.
Canada is a country that allows its citizens to vote. I will exercise this right and vote for a Mayor and Council that will keep the welfare of it’s citizens in mind. This group apparently does not.
Ross Yates
Campbell River