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March 29, 2008
Wilder threatens to cut trash pickup; 7th District meeting set for Monday
Councilwoman McQuinn will hold a Community Meeting on Monday, March 31st at 1:00PM at the East District Center to discuss a threat by Mayor Wilder to cut trash pickup if city council reduces the real estate tax rate.
From a press release from City Council:
Council members Ellen F. Robertson, Delores L. McQuinn, and Christopher A. Hilbert call Mayor Doug Wilder’s suggested threats to cut trash pick-up and delivery of public services, which could include police response, firefighters and ambulance services, tired.
“I think his tactics are getting tired, have been played out one too many times and are backfiring on him,” says McQuinn. “Because of tactics like this, citizens and businesses are increasingly realizing how important it is to have Council members who are willing to stand up and protect them from such threats and abuse.”
“It is shameful that he would threaten to endanger the health and safety of our families and businesses like this,” says Robertson. “Last year during the budget he was threatening our seniors and people with disabilities with canceling their tax abatements. Now, he is threatening families and business owners in entire districts; this is a perfect example how important a role Council plays in providing a balanced government that will protect our citizens against such abuse.”
“Council is committed to services being delivered fairly to all districts,” says McQuinn. “It seems like the Mayor is trying to take us back in time to the failed-politics of the past where threats and disenfranchisement ran rampant. We want to move forward and at one time we thought he would lead the way. Now it is clear he is standing in the way.”
“Regrettable, simply regrettable,” says Hilbert.
Shoot, I would welcome cutting trash pickup back to every other week so it just happens with recycling. I only put our trash out then anyways.
I’d rather have my recycling picked up every week.
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I need a break on real estate tax to help me pay on private middle school.
yeah, i could go to a twice-a-month pickup as well. honestly, we compost or recycle most everything, so we just have a small bag a week, if that.
Wait a second — how stupid do McQuinn, Robertson & Hilbert think we are? The NATIONAL economy is tanking and THEY ARE UPSET because Wilder doesn’t think it is a good idea to cut taxes? Suppose Council cuts taxes (Pantele, Graziano & Tyler) will certainly be happy as will their constituents. But then, where are we? Less money and more need? If only Wilder had told them NOT to cut taxes, right? If only they had listened? If only….if only ……
If you have too much trash, you can always order another trash can from the city for a small fee. And recycling can go in almost any container.
So – y’all are okay with it if our trash pick up service is cut? I certainly am not.
But any way, as I understand it, our current rate is 1.23, and Wilder wants to keep it there, but Pantele wants to reduce it to 1.20.
Do I have the facts right?
ANd, Pantele wants to be MAYOR …. he will say anything and do anything to convince people to go with him. I am worried that this tax break will help his constituents and those in the First District the MOST and the rest of us will just have to suck it up.
Just because Wilder has been WRONG on alot of stuff, doesn’t mean he is WRONG on this. I trust Wilder’s experienmce with RECESSIONS more than I trust Pantele, McQuinn, Robertson’s & Hilbert’s SAY ANYTHING School of Government.
edg I agree. I am sick and tired of Wilder trying to bully this city. Let’s get real.It’s time for this Dictator to go.Some folks in these impoverished districts can’t buy another trash can. Some of these folks who make ignorant comments haven’t lived here very long. You should have seen how trashy the district was 10 years ago. Another thing,we don’t trust GET REAL Richmond.
eric, you mean “you” don’t trust Get Real. A lot of people have been talking about his/her comments.
I definitely agree with Get Real’s take on public education.
Thanks, Gray ….
I find Eric’s use of the proverbial Royal “WE” a tad bit bullying in and of itself… as in “WE” are not amused, as in “WE” are watching “YOU,” as in “WE” don’t trust GetReal ….. hmmmm
WELL GRAY YOU AND GET REAL ARE PROBABLY THE SAME PERSON. WHO THE HELL CARES…….
Get Real has a hard time listening to other’s points of view that he/she does not agree with.
I don’t even know who Get Real is. It seems eric “has a hard time listening to other’s points of view too.”
And I care very much about my neighborhood, school district, and city. I’m 40 years old and have lived most of my life right here in Church hill. I attended public schools just like my children. My parents moved to the neighborhood in 1965. A lot of what you see now and love in Church Hill was due to the efforts of my mother and stepfather. I come from several generations of activists and so does my husband (his family is active politically up and down the east coast and abroad). So we are a large family who cares.
I think it is Get Real’s aggressive tone that turns some posters off.
The same could be said for Wilder. I agree with most of what he is trying to do. I just don’t like his attitude and tactics. But when it comes to running government, I’d rather have a competant asshole than an incompetant saint.
Jesus’ tone would have turned people off too, especially that time he tore up the temple.
We have corruption downtown that is chasing folk to the counties and hurting the children in the schools. I have no patience for a system (RPS) that blames children. That is low.
Eric, edg –
Could you please give me concrete examples of what you perceive to be an “aggressive tone”?
Here’s one BIG reason why trash collection should NOT be reduced to every other week:
Food service businesses including The Hill Cafe, Captain Buzzy’s, The Family Supermarket ALL rely on weekly trash collection via city supercans.
Can you imagine what a hardship/eyesore/odorous this would be for the businesses and their adjacent neigbors? Especially during the hot, humid months of summer?
The former Jumpin Je’s relied on city supercans (and will soon reopen as a food service establishment according to the landlord.) Inner City Blues soul food restaurant plans to use supercans when they get open.
And these are just a handful of businesses for which I’ve had a minute to confirm the use of super cans. I haven’t confirmed the new Patrick Henry’s Pub (23rd & Broad- old Accapella) nor the new BBQ joint at Jefferson and 22nd. Tho I suspect both plan to rely on weekly supercan collection. Que Pasa probably relies on supercans, tho I haven’t run down the block to double check that.
Moving to a every-other-week collection is absolutely insane for the businesses that serve our community with food, drink and the convenience items. By definition, these types of entities generate a lot more trash than any of us individually in our own homes, thus twice monthly collection is not an option.
Is this yet another way that City Hall “welcomes and encourages” small businesses in our community? Incredible.
Would they really cut trash collection? Is everyone playing poker down at City Hall?
There is a fee (tax?) on my water bill that covers trash removal. If they slash trash removal, can I refuse to pay this fee?
edg, that’s a good one. I forgot all about the water tax.
Doug Wilder is the biggest April Fool in Richmond. Remember all this on election day this fall.
If they cut the trash removal, edg & Gray, I will be happy to stand with you in solidarity and refuse to pay the water tax fee whatever the h#!! it is. And, I will certainly remember it when I go to the polls in November.
Hey j< i don’t think the mayor is competant. If he was competant, he wouldn’t be playing these politrics.