Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, June 8, 1993 TAG: 9306080077
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JOEL TURNER STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
"If they spend the money wisely, I don't object to it," said Jackson, who lives on Fairhope Road Northwest.
Jackson is retired, but he is able to carry his garbage cans to the street, so he did not seek a medical exemption to continue backyard collection service.
Jackson has been carrying his garbage cans to the curb occasionally, but now he'll have to do it all the time.
The city ended backyard trash collection Monday.
Other residents shared Jackson's sentiments. They accepted the change without serious objection.
Jim McClung, manager of the city's Solid Waste Department, said there were no major problems the first day without backyard collection.
A few residents didn't bring their garbage to the curb or alley. But the city was prepared with a standby crew that went into the backyards of those who didn't bring it the curb.
The biggest problems were alleys blocked by downed trees, McClung said.
City officials say the $368,000 in projected savings will be used to help pay a $1 million increase in dumping fees. The increase in the dumping fees is to finance a new regional landfill.
The change is no big deal for Paul Sowder.
"If you can carry trash to the can, you ought to be able to take it to the curb," said Sowder, who lives on High Acres Road.
William Fisher, 81, said his 77-year-old wife, Dorothy, will have to take their cans to the street. Both have arthritis, but she is still physically able to take their cans to the curb.
Fisher doubts the city will save as much money as it estimates. The refuse collection workers have been walking ahead of the trucks and bringing the cans to the curb.
"I can't see how it will save that much time," said.
But McClung said only two employees will now be needed on the back of each truck instead of three under the backyard collection system.
Nearly 500 residents will continue to receive backyard service because they are physically unable to carry their trash cans to the curb. About two dozen residents are also paying a fee to keep the backyard service.
by CNB