Parkersburg Residents Speak Out, But Council Approves Waste Management Contract
It's a familiar story: a community voices its concerns, but the decision-makers go a different route. In Parkersburg, West Virginia, that's exactly what happened when the City Council approved a waste management contract, despite a wave of public opposition. Let's dive into the details.
During a recent Tuesday meeting, the Parkersburg City Council voted 6-3 in favor of a municipal waste collection agreement with Waste Management of West Virginia. This decision came despite the majority of public forum speakers expressing serious reservations about the contract.
Council Member Chris Rexroad, representing District 7, was among the dissenting voices. He highlighted the overwhelming public sentiment against the agreement, stating, "The people said they didn’t want it, overwhelmingly." He mentioned that out of all the communications he received, only two people supported the contract. "I don’t know, maybe people were getting calls contrary to mine, but I can’t think District 7 would be that anomalous from the rest of the districts.”
Rexroad's primary worry revolves around the cost versus the benefits. He believes the monthly savings of just $2.50 aren't worth the potential loss of services, particularly yard waste collection.
Community member Bryan Hayden echoed these concerns, predicting the vote's outcome and criticizing what he termed the "Joyce Six" for allegedly following the mayor's lead. He emphasized that public opinion overwhelmingly opposed the privatization.
Resident Jamie McCormick pointed out that the council had a year to address sanitation issues, but failed to act when sanitation workers requested raises in December. She noted that the city lost many workers as a result.
McCormick also raised concerns about the contract's impact on senior citizens and residents with fixed incomes.
Rexroad suggested that the council should have negotiated a better deal with Waste Management. He also expressed worries about the city's negotiating position when the contract comes up for renewal in five years.
But here's where it gets controversial...The council also approved two other items. Members unanimously passed a resolution for the renewal of an existing levy to support the mass transportation system. They also approved an ordinance to update the city's codified ordinances.
What do you think? Do you believe the council made the right decision, or should they have listened more closely to the residents' concerns? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
