It's not privitazation per se that is at fault, just this particular type of laizzez faire free market type of privitization. We could stop short of municipal collection but still avoid the mess we have now by having the city let exclusive contracts for individual neighborhoods.
I understand the issues of the many garbage trucks in alleys... I live with an alley and also the many trucks that go up and down it each week. HOWEVER... I do not think we need the city to section off area's of the city and bid it out.... rather it would be better for EVERYONE for the neighbors to join together and find a single hauler to take the trash.
Now an example: We have 15 houses on our alley. I could easily call some trash haulers and ask them, if we had all of (or most) of the houses select your company to take our trash could we get a better price? I am sure that there would be some competition between the haulers to get such a sweet deal as being able to get 10-15 houses in one quick shot than it is for them to wander about the whole neighborhood picking up some here some there to get a full load. As you indicate they would save gas, time, and that means $$$$ for them vs their competitors.
The only problem with this plan is that you have to.... OH MY GOSH... talk to your neighbors and see if they want to get in on the savings. Therein lies the problem... I have been living in this house for over 15 years.... of the neighbors on my block, they recognize me as a neighbor, but most don't know my name, nor me theirs... The number that I see regularly of even know on a casual basis is small. I suspect the same is true for the vast majority of the neighborhoods in the city.
Everyone talks about how great Neighborhoods are, and they are when you know your neighbors, unfortunately (as with elections etc..) most people it seems are pretty content to just be in their houses and ignore the outside world.
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Sincerely,
John Birrenbach
W 7th Neighborhood, St Paul MN
=== Political & Business Consulting ===
http://www.birrenbach.com/
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"Six years on the council has trained me to feign interest for long periods of time"
Chris Coleman Jan 21, 2004
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Unless it is something you think I will find funny don't reply personally, if it's relevant to a post I made then post it to the list for everyone to see. I have no problem being challenged in public. Challenge me in private and you take your chances.
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