Thursday, July 30, 2009

County Residents Ask For Jury Trial in Pleading Not Guilty to Trash Reg Violation

Some South County residents are being fined for not having the correct trash service. They say it's not right.

Sixty St. Louis County residents appeared in court this past Tuesday for violating the county's trash policy. Many of these residents say they don't need trash service and they refuse to waste their money. Citizens in opposition of monopoly trash districts rallied before the start of court to show support to to homeowners deemed non-compliant. More than 55 individuals showed up to offer support.

Allan Fexer was one of the first ones called before the judge. He pleaded not guilty and asked for a continuance and a jury trial. He was granted a continuance and a jury trial for August 21.

Since he isn't cooperating with the county plan, Fexer's trash bill is now more than $150. Even though Allied Waste has never picked anything up from his home. "The aluminum cans are sold. The newspaper I give to the church the plastic is taken to Wilmore park and cardboard is taken to Wilmor park recycling bins so I have no trash." Allan Fexer - Opposed to Trash Districts

"We do not want to be going to court against people to enforce the law we'd like to coax people into it because the prices are so good." Pat Redington -County Counselor

We're told the Judge will look at every situation on a case by case basis. Those who plead guilty and work out a deal with a designated hauler will have their fines forgiven. Those who plead not guilty will go to trial.

In the meantime, all county residents are paying for the ever-increasing costs of this dispute with no real end in sight. County resident, Mike Roberts commented, "This is crazy taking this question to court rather than making corrections in the regulation. Patricia Redington's take on coaxing people because the prices are so good is ridiculous. If someone is paying for trash at their own business, they should not be forced to pay a second time for a service that is not used. County officials trying to force this down residents throats should be kicked out of office."

County residents who had not received a summons were prohibited from entering the court room to witness the proceedings. One person said she was there to testify in behalf of a neighbor and was "locked out." Many voiced the legality of such action.

(Click on comments below for reader's response)

4 comments:

  1. The County's trash program is a good way to reduce traffic on residential streets. I hope the County prevails.

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  2. Mike Roberts9:34 PM

    I agree that the county program works when it comes to traffic reduction . . . but there are gaping holes in the program that are not being fixed. Many of our "neighbors" are being discriminated against. The other issue is just plain "freedom of choice" and being required to pay a company for services ordered by a government agency. If one is not satisfied with the service, they can't just change to another hauler.

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  3. Anonymous10:07 PM

    It is difficult to understand why Mr. Fexer is wrong, being charged; he is recycling at its finest, so I guess that because he isn't paying a trash hauler to "SELL the items that he's recycling, he's being taken to court?????Talk about arbitrary and fascist.

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  4. Anonymous12:14 PM

    MSD tried applying Storm Water fees onto residents who did not have Storm Water drains or sewers. The Missouri State Senate passed a statute that now prohibits MSD from charging fees if you do not recieve services.

    That approach might work for this as well.

    ReplyDelete