Published: April 29, 2008 09:41 pm            

It’s gonna be a smelly summer

I’m so excited!

And I just can’t hide it!

I’m about to lose control and …

Well, maybe not. (Sorry – Disco flashback).

I awoke from a little catnap Monday afternoon to the sound of the Allied Waste folks delivering my brand new, 95-gallon trash can we’ll all get to know and love as “Big Blue!”

My part of town is apparently in the “crash-test zone” for the new, once-weekly refuse pickup plan designed to save money by cutting in half the number of pickups.

It’s going to save money, there is no doubt, once these monster cans are paid for – but I won’t volunteer to hold my breath until the consumer actually saves any money on the deal. That’s not likely to happen.

To be sure, it may keep our costs from going up – as much - when the current refuse collection contract with the city comes up for renewal. At least, that was the tune that was being hummed at the recent town hall meeting on the topic. Had I known I was in the “crash-test zone” I might have attended the meeting to get a first-hand report. Alas, the door hanger notification that everyone in the test zone was supposed to get didn’t make it to my door.

I must agree, however, that something will have “to give” when it comes to trash collection costs, whether it be revenue-related, cost-related, or some combination of the two. With the volatile fuel market we’re all dealing with now, I think you are going to see every single city and county service – both those provided by its own employees and those that are contracted - come under the microscope in the upcoming budget sessions for our local entities.

But let’s look forward, shall we …

I am an experienced “Big Blue” user – except I recall my experience in Missouri with the once-weekly trash pickup plan as having a “Big Green” container, nearly identical to “Blue” now parked in my driveway. The city of Rolla, the mid-Missouri town we lived in during the early 1980s, went to the same plan – a great big can supplied by the waste hauler and a once a week pickup.

To be honest, the mechanics of it are OK – as long as you don’t have any “extra” trash. The “rules of engagement” for the once-weekly pickup clearly state all your trash must fit inside your “Big Blue” container, and the lid to “Blue” must be closed! Therefore, there are no “extra bags” allowed.

Look for an increase in “dumpster trips,” if you know what I mean – and I think you do!

Here is the only “big” problem ahead for the plan.

One word – smell.

Along about the fifth day of your “trash cycle” you won’t want to spend much time near your “Big Blue” trash can – especially when the warm weather of Texas summer comes to call. And don’t be surprised if you see your neighbor holding his or her nose on day seven when making the trip to the curb, because you’ll likely be doing the same while hauling your “Big Blue” to the curb.

Even so, the idea on the whole is not a bad one. If it keeps our costs from going up – much – I think we can live with it.

I’m reminded of a saying I sometimes use (sometimes, too often I’m told) …

“The only thing in life that truly welcomes change is a baby with a dirty diaper.”

Here’s hoping no diapers end up in “Big Blue” for the obvious reasons.

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Bob Belcher is Managing Editor of the Daily Sun. His column appears Wednesdays and Saturdays. He may be reached by e-mail at belcher@corsicanadailysun.com.

        

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