Township issue/question

[Quick86]

So since I was a kid our township where I live has owned a recycling center funded by tax dollars and operated by a township worker. The prices and hours have always been fair and it has always done well.

Over the past two years a friend of someone within the township happened to secure a deal to operate the facility and manage it. Since then, hours have been severely cut, prices have increased by 50%-100% across the board, they hardly open on time, and the family running it is also using the address to operate another business out of. It used to cost $1/bag and $10/yard for yard waste, it's now $2/bag, $20/yard. They've cut the hours to bankers style hours so unless you take a day off or leave work early you cannot even haul your yard waste there.

I've called the township about this and their answer is "Well, they get to decide these things..."

I've left voicemails asking who made the decision to privatize it without speaking to the township voters first, as our tax dollars actually pay for that property and it's operation. They never respond.


Am I irritated over nothing? Or would others be irritated about this as well? :facepalm:

 

[nitrouspete]

start dumping your bags at the gate late at night with an IOU 2$ attached haha sign it Donald Duck.

 

[nitrouspete]

or.....do what i do. my city does not even offer trash pick up, you must hire one of these privet company at 70$ a month. i just drive it to my buddy's house one city away on Sunday night and put my trash with his.

 

[Quick86]

I'm on hold with Granger to see what they charge for yard waste hauling. They do 6 bags a week from april thru november, just not sure how much it is. If it's cheaper than this shit head I'll make the switch.


I've got worse than bags in my truck at the moment. It's full of leaves and dog shit from my backyard....I'd drop that right at his gate. He has had people do that to him before. Plus notes on the gate.


Edit: Granger will do 6 30 gallon containers per week for 3 months for $46.

One and a half truck loads will pay for that and I can do that easily.

 

[4Gas$]

Recipe for Local Government Response…

I have worked in government. I have been a township department
Head – I know how these things work & I’ve seen many times how
they get “corrected”.

Calling will not work. If you really want to see some kind of action,
once & for all or at least be heard & know you did everything you
could, follow this plan :

1) Write a clear letter explaining the problem as you see it & what you
think should be done to correct it (perhaps even volunteer to help?).

2) Make 10 copies of this letter.

3) Attend the next evening township meeting. There is always at least
two times during the regular monthly township meetings for citizens to
Address the township board of trustees & mayor.

4) Simply ask to be on that nights meeting, you can also call the town hall
in advance to be on the agenda – but you don’t have to, you can simply show
up. The point is to hand a copy to each township trustee (& media?) & then you
read your letter out loud to them all.

What you have just done has made your letter (your voice, your opinion) part
of the official government / meeting permanent legal record (“the minutes”) .

Remember, often the media is covering these meetings & may report on your concern.

If you’re ever going to get a response, this will get it. It is true, “the squeaky
wheel gets the oil”

Let us know what happens.

 

[TWOBEERS]

3) Attend the next evening township meeting. There is always at least
two times during the regular monthly township meetings for citizens to
Address the township board of trustees & mayor.

This often can work very well. I've done this before more than once. Its amazing how elected officials change their tune went confronted in public with camera's running.

 

[Quick86]

I might have to do that. Sadly our little township doesn't attract news. I might have to go through the newspaper with a letter as well - that seems to get their attention.

 

[wrath]

Go to the township meeting. There is at least one per month. Once it is in the minutes it gets a lot of attention, especially from grumpy old people that don't have anything better to do. Remember that most small township government is much like student council in high school.

Just be glad you're not in Washtenaw County. We have this thing called "Western Washtenaw Recycling Authority" that basically only takes items that are profitable (ie: motor oil but not coolant) AND you happen to have the privilege of paying for it on your taxes. Then they bitch because independents will haul away your recycling for free.

 

[Quick86]

Yeah im in meridian township in ingham county..

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