Charlie Dooley: "I owe you absolutely nothing"

A county residents writes . . .

I have recycled for years and, yes, recycling is a good idea. But it should never take preference over people's rights. People have the right to make decisions for themselves, not St. Louis County. Why should I pay for something I already do on my own?

We have the right to a vote, as described in very understandable language and in black and white in the County Charter - which many of you seem to think is gospel, when you want it to be.
Before this fiasco started, my husband and I were paying $13 a month for once a week trash pickup. IESI is $13.09 the first year. Then it goes up, both the second and third year. As you know, lack of competition will drive the price up even further.

This fiasco hasn't saved me any money, as was claimed. The people who supposedly are paying less now had the same chance I had to call around and get a trash hauling service who does good work, is considerate, and charges a good price. If they didn't take advantage of that freedom and choice, that's not my problem.

Regarding too many trash trucks in subdivisions: subdivisions had the option to band together and get 1 hauler for the whole neighborhood. Again, if a subdivision didn't take advantage of this freedom of choice, that's not my problem.

The concern about too many trucks on the road: give me a break! Roads are meant for cars and trucks! Do you really think getting these few trucks off the roads will make a real difference? No, it won't.

The concern about children being hit by a truck: ridiculous! Children shouldn't play in the streets. My son never was allowed to.

To think that the rest of us should be denied our rights because other people don't make simple decisions and act on them themselves, is ridiculous! Government taking over people's rights, doing things that people should take initiative to do themselves, that's the beginnings of communism. Ask anyone who has come here from another country that practices that. (I've talked to some of these people, too.)

Also, have you considered the elderly people on a fixed income whose sons/daughters pick up what little trash they accumulate every week. (I've talked to some of these people, so they are out there.) Why should they pay for something they don't need. Why should people who already recycled prior to this mess, have to pay for some service they don't need? What about people who own a business and take any garbage into that dumpster? If it's their business, they are already paying for trash pickup. Now they have to pay twice? (I've talked to some of these people, also.)

Why is it OK to put local trash haulers out of business and lay workers off? Do you know that Veolia is based in France and is known world wide for bribery, corruption, and not great service. The other two trash hauling companies are based out of state. It's disgusting and irresponsible to put local haulers out of business and cause people to be laid off! The economy isn't great. Jobs don't grow on trees and aren't easy to find right now.

And you don't even want to hear from people who are negatively affected? You don't want to hear from those of us who are angry because we know we are being denied our rights?

I have news for you. Those people live in your district, also. I've talked to some of them. I don't live far from the 5th district, so I'm in that area a lot. I have friends who live in Affton and other areas in your district, and they are hopping mad. So are people in Omara's district up north. I know people who live there and they've told me how upset people are.

I have never been as ashamed, frustrated, and just plain let down with county government until now.

. . . Cindy Trebus, South County