Talkin' Trash: A Clean Community Starts with Service -- Not Fees
The county said they weren't raising taxes -- so we were surprised to learn that they are planning to introduce a third property tax fee (called a "4R fee") for Solid Waste Convenience Centers. We were even more surprised to learn that the fee covers a multi-million dollar program to pave the centers and add compactors - but not address illegal dumping, crowds, and other problems that were created when the hours were cut in 2009. The new fee will cost county households $40 per year; town households $20 per year.
Orange County Voice, the Rogers Eubanks Neighborhood Association (RENA/CEER) and other community groups are joining forces to assure that the taxes are used to keep our communities clean and healthy. It's not just the landfill adjacent to the Rogers Road Community - its all the illegal dumping that started when the county cut Thursdays, Sundays, and other hours that made our convenience centers convenient. Plus there's investments planned in an infrastructure that's like to become obsolete after the landfill closes.
So please join us is seeking transparency in spending and a vision for the future before the county asks for fees or funding for trash or recycling services. Some of our questions include: How will the county will handle trash and recycling after the landfill closes? How will our recycling, hauling and other operations change if we pursue a gasifcation, pelletizing or other WTE solution? Should the county continue to spend $4 million a year on recycling - especially given the sharp decline in recycling markets and economics? Are there options to use private companies for improved service or lower cost? What is the state of the county's fund balances - and are they sufficient to fund the landfill closing, post closing and remediation for the historic Rogers Road community?
As a first step, we are asking the county to defer plans for new fees and investments in convenience centers, until they have answered these important questions and until we are confident that other more critical priorities - especially schools, economic development, rural fire departments and emergency services are funded. In the short term, we are also asking that convenience centers hours - especially Sundays -- be restored to improve service and discourage illegal dumping.
Act Now!
An immediate action you can take is to sign our petition opposing the new property tax fee and demanding the immediate restoration of waste convenience center hours. Click here for the online petition (www.ipetitions.com/petition/swccfees); [click here for a printable version] (requires the Adobe Acrobat Reader®).
To Do: Watch the total eclipse of the moon early in the morning on December 21. Click here or see this NASA page for more information. (Archived 1/2/2011)
Shout-out!: For the Holiday: Keep Your Eyes Open!
Let your neighbors know if you will be away so they can keep a
distant eye out too... encourage everyone to take every precaution to
secure your residence and property. Here are some tips from the
Sheriff's Department.
Consider additional anti-pry devices for your windows. Even with the
window broken, these devices can still make it difficult to get the
window open.
As always, lock your doors and windows.
If you are going to be away from home, activate your alarm system if you have one.
Secure your jewelry in less than obvious places - all thieves look
in drawers, under the mattress, and in containers in closets.
If you have heirloom jewelry that is particularly unique, I would
encourage you to photograph it, appraise it, and insure it. These types
of items are very difficult to recover.
Document the serial numbers to your electronic devices. This is VERY
helpful if the thieves take the items to a local pawn shop, and it
increases the potential of our investigators recovering the item(s).
When you are going to be away and you're leaving your vehicle at
home, hide the car keys somewhere. It is not uncommon for thieves to
break-in, steal items, and drive away with the family car as well.
Be an alert neighbor. If for any reason that you are awake during
the wee hours of the morning, take a moment and look out your windows
and report ANY suspicious activity that you may notice.
Don't leave cars unattended in the driveway with the engine running,
even if you can lock the door. It takes just a few seconds to get into a
car and drive off.
(12/14/2010) (Archived 1/9/2011)
Happy Holidays from Orange County Voice
(turn your sound on!)
(Archived 1/2/2011)
OWASA Delays Decision, Seeks Input
In response to countywide opposition to their draft forestry plan,
OWASA has delayed their decision in order to respond to citizen comment
and requests from local governments. For OWASA’s official statement, click here.
Community groups and experts are organizing to ask OWASA to reject
the current plan which was developed by commercial forestry company,
True North (www.TrueNorthForestry.biz) and appears designed to secure value from timber rather than protect water quality.
If you share these concerns, please write to OWASA’s board (boardmembers@owasa.org)
and ask them to reject the plan. If your community group or
organization wants to team with other like-minded groups, please
consider joining the Clean Water Coalition (www.TheCleanWaterCoalition.com). (12/14/2010) (Archived 1/2/2011)