THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, July 7, 1995 TAG: 9507060162
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 06 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Medium: 55 lines
Upon reading the guest editorial by Virginia Beach City Councilman Robert K. Dean concerning the issue of solid waste management and flow control (The Beacon, June 11), I am compelled to respond to the inaccuracies reflected in his article.
The eight cities and counties of Hampton Roads that make up the Southeastern Public Service Authority (SPSA) should take great pride in this regional approach to such a vital area as solid waste management. The program run by this authority serves as a model to municipal regions all over the coun-try.
Mr. Dean's reference to SPSA as a monopoly is an interesting one. In 1976, the leadership of the participating cities and counties saw the wisdom in creating a regional authority capable of delivering one of the highest-quality solid-waste management programs in the country. As council members, Mr. Dean's predecessors had the foresight to recognize the economic benefits of a regional authority capable of processing the area's waste in an economically sound, environmentally responsible and efficiently run facility.
In reference to the recent increase in the disposal rates and tipping fees, it was not until the loss of flow control in 1994 that it became necessary for SPSA to raise management fees. Prior to this, our region enjoyed the benefit of solid-waste management fees far below the national average. This would suggest flow control does not, in fact, increase long-term costs to the cities and taxpayers. Perhaps the ``hidden tax'' referenced by Mr. Dean is more the result of the loss of flow control than its im-ple-men-ta-tion.
Our region should take great pride in the fact that only 45 percent of the solid waste processed by SPSA goes into a landfill. The remaining 55 percent is put to beneficial use. I find this alternative much more forward-thinking than land-filling 100 percent of collected waste by the private haulers in our area.
Flow control does not prohibit private industry from participating in solid-waste management' rather it provides a safe, economical and environmentally sound method for the ultimate disposal of solid waste by the SPSA communities.
Now, more than ever, the cities and counties of Hampton Roads need to work together to promote regional efforts to handle decisive issues such as solid-waste management, water, etc., if we are to be successful in attracting businesses to our area. The Southeastern Public Service Authority is a shining example of cities and counties working together to solve a regional problem.
Sharon Lessard
Chesapeake by CNB