Officials extended an invitation to County Executive Charlie Dooley. He said someone from his office would attend.State Rep. Jim Lembke, R-south St. Louis County, who helped organize the session, said it will give the public a say and will provide more information for lawmakers not actively involved in the issue. Almost all legislators who represent the unincorporated area of south and southwest St. Louis County last week sent a letter to Dooley declaring the county is on "a collision course with state government" if it does not wait two years to enact its plan.
Dooley said that unless the lawmakers can provide low-priced service, "I respectfully suggest you stick to statewide issues and allow St. Louis County to address St. Louis County issues."
They said a recent opinion from the attorney's general's office backs the two-year delay. Dooley says the law does not apply to the county because it has a home-rule charter.
Adding fuel to the controversy is a new county requirement that trash haulers provide once-a-week recyclable pickups. Haulers recently started charging at least $6 a month for the service. The added cost has angered residents who say they didn't want it. The lawmakers' letter declares the county imposed "a de facto county trash tax without the vote of the people."
They aren't content with screwing things up at the state level, now they're going to work their "magic" locally. Good luck, you're going to need it!
ReplyDelete