The City of Fenton are warning its residents that they will begin enforcing the city regulations regarding the maximum size of garbage cans that can be used. Anyone using a garbage can larger than 32 gallons, or heaping their trash above the top of the can will be notified and eventually could have their garbage collection service stopped. The first violation will result in the resident getting a green notice sticker. The second violation will result in the receipt of an orange notice sticker. The third strike is a red notice sticker and the service to that residence will be stopped.
Fenton residents pay for garbage removal in their taxes. Additionally they are required to purchase a garbage tag costing $1.60. Putting two tags on an over-sized container is not sufficient, and residents found in violation will still face the escalating notice or stoppage of service. The City of Fenton says this is necessary due to a $14,000 shortfall in solid waste removal taxes and fees. Councilwoman Cheryl King puts the blame on both the City of Fenton and Waste Management for not enforcing these rules previously. “People got a free ride all these years,” King is quoted as saying in the Tri-County Times.
Times are tougher economically speaking here in Michigan, and thus in Fenton. Politicians will continue to find what they call revenue sources (we refer to them as taxes and fees because government does not really generate revenue) wherever they can. Without the power to decide what private sector company will provide services, the residents will never have the power or ability to use competition to affect change.
This is a quote from a Tri-County Times Hotline from the June 1, 2008 edition: “Here in Tyrone Township, we hire our own refuse collector. There are no green, orange or red warnings. If the collector is not doing their job, we fire and then hire a very willing competitor. Our collector always thanks us for our business, does yours?” Point noted. Relinquishing individual power to a governmental body for the sake of convenience can, and usual does eventually, lead to helplessness. Think about it. There is a case for collective bargaining power, however any time there is a structure that separates one’s own money from the decision maker (using Other People’s Money aka OPM), the best decisions get sacrificed for political expediency or personal gain on behalf of the decision maker. And is the City negotiating with Waste Management on the issue and using its inherent collective bargaining power or the power of competition? Not that the citizens can tell. It is easier to put the burden and costs on the residents. What a load of garbage.
