The Norman Transcript

Letters

Discussion

February 17, 2013

Let’s recycle Norman’s recycling plan

The Norman Transcript

NORMAN — Editor, The Transcript:

Again, I am forever amazed at the garbage we in Norman have to go through with this city. (Excuse the pun).

Some real facts as I have be able to determine.  First of all this recycle deal was shoved down the throats of Norman residents in 2007. Fast tracked for a special  election vote on  May 8th, (guaranteeing a  low turn out).  The contract process was a joke because as I recall  our own sanitation dept was not even allowed to bid.

The contract accepted was even worse. Now,  most involved  with that contract say “Well the city council approved it”. First of all the 72 percent in favor of the recycle vote  is technically correct.  However misleading.  It was 72 percent of those that voted.

There were over 110,000 Norman residents at the time of the vote...  6,673 for, 2,690 against.  Interesting to note many of the votes came from campus districts and the west side of Norman. Approx 8 percent of Norman residents  voted.  Now follow me here. There were no restrictions on who could vote, even though this $3 per month only affected those who owned or lived in a house.  For argument sake, say half that voted for this in no way  would ever be affected in the $3 per month increase since they lived in dorms, apartments, townhouses, etc.

So (drum roll) 4 percent of Normanites voted for this. ( A little less than 72 percent.) I am still in shock that the city agreed with the language of the contract. Waste Management group was given the responsibility to monitor the numbers on how many homes actually used the service. I believe that    40 percent was  the last report they gave.

Checked my area. Only a 100 house sample ... Two percent were using. Big surprise. When asked, utilities group said that is what was in the contract. Why? And why if city agreed with their numbers did the take their own samples over the life of this contract?

Now how do we get better? One, encouraging the city council, mayor , city manager all involved in this new contract to take a big Sooner step back. Suggestion 1. For 30 days, allow anyone who wishes to become a part of this to sign up for the charge and pickup  for the duration of the new contract (3,4,5 years, whatever is decided.) Once you sign up you are locked in. Repost the bid process for the numbers that sign up.  As a starting point. ... Simple to administer for the pick up people. See container, pick it up. If and when additional people may want to sign up, have language in the contract to address that and  reimburse  recycle folks accordingly. Not too difficult. In the new contract language, utilize city workers, volunteers, whoever to check and see usage rates for recycle pick up, so that the city is not being overcharged. Just an a idea.

CHRIS MESSINA

Norman

For local news and more, subscribe to The Norman Transcript Smart Edition, or our print edition.

Text Only | Photo Reprints
Letters
  • Johnson analyzed issue well

    Editor, The Transcript: I would like to thank Jim Johnson for his thoughtful, thorough and sensible analysis of the gun situation in our country.  He has made a meaningful contribution to what one hopes will become a civilized ...

    May 24, 2013

  • Diana Frost letter correction

    Letter correction: A letter to the editor from Diana Frost, originally published in March 2012, was inadvertently published again in Sunday’s paper. The Transcript apologizes for the error....

    May 23, 2013

  • Teachers should be proud

    Editor, The Transcript: He walked by the camera in his red OU T-shirt, splattered with dirt, hair disheveled, and cuts on his face. He told the reporter about helping rescue people from the rubble of the tornado. He spoke of his experience ...

    May 23, 2013

  • Roman Catholic Church too busy to respond with hate

    Editor, The Transcript: Diana Frost’s letter of May 19 concerning the Roman Catholic Church was so unreasonable that it almost defies response. Still, one of her many accusations must be addressed....

    May 22, 2013

  • Pesky employees at it again

    Editor, The Transcript: I just read the letter to the editor complaining that the Republican Party has apparently cornered the market on gall with their investigation of the Ben Ghazi incident. If gall indicates a search for the truth, ...

    May 21, 2013

  • Republican Party has unmitigated gall

    Editor, The Transcript: When it comes to unmitigated gall, the Republican Party has no equal. Take the current Benghazi hearings, for example. This is nothing but a political charade aimed at the 2014 election and Hillary Clinton’s ...

    May 19, 2013

  • John Tullius’ cartoon is wrong about education

    Editor, The Transcript: John Tullius’ last Saturday cartoon has jumped up and stepped right on my toes, along with, I suspect, the toes of teachers and school personnel all over town: “Growing up — we learned good morals, values and ...

    May 19, 2013

  • What hope for our humanity’s predicament?

    Editor, The Transcript: Well, what is it, this “predicament” of ours, our humanity’s? What’s behind or underneath this predicament, this predication, this saying before or is it a “before saying?” Ah, that might be getting closer to what ...

    May 19, 2013

  • Tax cuts help wealthy and harm schools

    Perhaps it’s old news by now, but I hope the controversy will live on....

    May 18, 2013

  • American Legion post updating

    Editor, The Transcript: Attention all American Legion Post 88 members. We are updating our membership information. Please send us a card, letter, or e-mail as to your correct address, contact phone, and e-mail address, if any. This will ...

    May 18, 2013