Let’s see if we can make sense of the city garbage collection fiasco. In February 2012, Victoria council selected option B ($183, biweekly backyard pick-up) over the preferred choice of most citizens, the cheaper option A ($161, biweekly curbside pick up). This despite the survey vote and the higher expense, because, as we were told (“Victoria backyard trash pickup rules the day,” vicnews.com), CUPE Local 50 wanted to preserve jobs.
City staff recently recommended a switch to curbside pick up (Victoria backyard garbage pickup stays: for a cost,” vicnews.com) with a $6 increase for homeowners. Pardon? Shouldn’t that have been a $22 decrease? Instead, council decided to maintain backyard pick up and charge a further $20 more per year. So the fee will now be $203 per year, for a plan that initially was to cost $183.
And what of the kitchen scraps? That is in limbo until a composting facility can be sorted out, if ever. Meanwhile it is all likely going to the landfill. Same as before.
Then there is the problem with faulty new garbage trucks, and 364 complexes are switching to private garbage pick up. Higher fees are needed to cover the $225,000 shortfall. Who is responsible for that? Has anyone been reprimanded or fired?
So we will now be charged about the same amount per year as we were when the garbage was collected every week. Half the service for the same cost. Council must be chuckling with mirth.
Roel Hurkens
Victoria