Trash Talk

JUST ASKIN’--Earlier this year the City entered into an Exclusive Franchise Trash Agreement, commonly called a Monopoly. 

The intent was to increase recycling, reduce the number of trash trucks running through the neighborhood, and afford a better quality of life to all. 

NOT! 

What really happened is that trash is piling up, trucks are nowhere in sight, no recycling bins have been delivered, and cost of trash hauling has increased between 30%-120%. 

The office of the West LA Neighborhood Council has received more than a dozen complaints by phone, and a few letters as well. 

Here is one story: 

A bakery on Pico Blvd had been contracted with Athens to do their trash. The new agreement anointed Athens as king of trash in West LA. 

The representative of Athens went door to door advising folks of their new agreement and new cost of service. 

This bakery had 6 months left on their contract. They were told that it was void and the new cost was 30% higher. 

Another story of a location on Pico. They had Waste management as their hauler. One month before the new agreement was to be in force, WM stopped picking up and was blaming the new hauler, who had never yet contacted the business. Finally, the new company did pick up. BUT, WM has been sending PAST DUE notices for the month they never picked up. 

So, the questions are: 

How much is the city getting paid in this contract? 

Who is really administering the contract? 

Why would the 15 around the horse shoe make such a bone headed move? 

How do we stop this assault on small business and property owners? 

Just askin’. 

 (Jay Handal is Co-Chair of the NC Budget Advocates, treasurer of the West Los Angeles NC and Los Angeles Police Commission Hearing Examiner. Mr. Handal’s views are his own.)

-cw