Raise the Hammer
Two stories in the local media today provided a perfect illustration of what's wrong with City Hall.
First, Emma Reilly reported that the Public Works Committee opposes moving to biweekly garbage collection. City staff had recommended keeping weekly compost and recycling pickups but only picking up household waste every second week - a move that would have saved between $1.5 million and $2.8 million per year.
Secondly, Matt Jelly published an update on the state of two vacant lower-city properties full of toxic waste. In a nutshell: absolutely nothing tangible has happened in the past eight months to make these properties safer.
In other words, our elected councillors seem to consider it non-negotiable that household waste must get picked up every week. But unprotected hazardous waste in residential neighbourhoods can wait to be cleaned up until some indefinite point in the future, if at all.
Will Councillors Jason Farr and Bernie Morelli accept this twisted state of civic priorities any longer?
By TnT (registered) | Posted April 19, 2011 at 08:42:46
Farr is too busy trying to find free parking at the farmers market and Morelli, well if I can't say something nice...
By Sad Again (anonymous) | Posted April 19, 2011 at 11:00:13
This is just another sign that Hamilton truly is stuck in the sixties (fifties, perhaps). Despite overwhelming evidence that things like bi-weekly collection and a ban on the disposal of grass cuttings at the curb work elsewhere, somehow, in Hamilton, it's something to not even be considered. I wish I could opt-in for the level of service I need and not keep subsidizing the "convenience" of the cretins who can't manage their waste in a 21st century manner. Everybody seems to want more for less from City Hall but isn't willing to sacrifice a thing to get it. Sad, again.
By TnT (registered) | Posted April 21, 2011 at 11:14:35
I will have to back track on my words as Mr. Morelli has responded to Mr. Jellys concerns with a very impressive response http://www.raisethehammer.org/article/13...
By Cityjoe (anonymous) | Posted April 29, 2011 at 15:29:02
I think that you are bargaining apples & oranges, J.N..
It's completely unconscionable that toxic waste is allowed to be part of the landscape & the environment for such long periods of time.
However, that does not make a good argument for bi-weekly garbage pick up. It's not the same thing.
Again, I refuse to accumulate dirty adult diapers, & pet waste for 2 weeks in the Summer.
The savings made from bi-weekly pick up would probably Not be applied to cleaning up toxins. I think we all know that.
(Maybe they will hire more bi-law officers to investigate complaints from neighbours over the smelly results of bi-weekly garbage pick up with the money saved?)
The money saved will go elsewhere, just as money to remove toxic waste has gone elsewhere in the past. That should never have happened! It should not keep happening!
By Cityjoe (anonymous) | Posted April 29, 2011 at 15:43:34
@ Sad Again
This "Cretin' fills the green bin every week, & recycles Everything that is recyclable.
I have 2 composters in my yard for garden waste.
I only buy 1 newspaper once a week.
I have an extra bag limit for medical reasons.
I recycle all used good quality clothing to charity.
I pay more in dog licensing fees in the GHA than in any other large city in Ontario. I pooper scoop, as everyone should.
Now, let's hear again from the childless, seniorless, petless, & gardenless about what 'cretins' we are. It's pretty easy to point fingers when you have assumed no responsibilities in your own life!
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