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Show Large group voices op position New garbage district argued Although the county commission com-mission will undoubtedly have the last word in the matter, a goodly number of county residents received the opportunity op-portunity to voice their opinions in the county's most pressing problem at present: garbage. The vast majority of those speaking in Wednesday night's public meeting in Parowan were openly opposed to the garbage special service district enacted by the commission as of January 1. The meeting was also designed by the commissioners to be an educational and orientation meeting, explaining to countv initial problems from a legal standpoint that brought upon the service district was the issue of double taxation. He said this, combined with complaints of random garbage dumping necessitated the county getting into the garbage business. Chamberlain said other rnnntis: hp nnintpH nut Parhp residents the reasoning behind the service district. Commission Chairman Grant Seaman also said the meeting was a response to the many "love letters" and telephone calls he has received on the subject. State requirements Joel Smith, State Health Department official, and Bill Dawson, Southwest District Health Department, opened the meeting by reviewing state regulations concerning disposal of solid wastes. Smith said his department "likes to see" consolidation of county garbage operations., He said generally consolidated efforts show a savings. He said most counties who have tried to consolidate have experienced problems and growing pains but have worked out difficulties in a year or two. Smith also said state health officials promote the use of landfills. County Attorney Hans Chamberlain said one of the County as an example, have had great success with special service ser-vice districts, even with communities com-munities contracting into the district because of the cost and service offered. Pit commended Commissioner Cleo Wood commended Utah International and former commissioner Graham MacDonald for their work in choosing the Smith pit as landfill site. He said he, too, was against "overregulation and being told what to do, but, w hen it comes to cleanup, we are all faced with a problem." Wood said if the garbage service was optional, the ones that wouldn't ask for it would be paying for it through taxes. He said the special district avoids making a lot of people pay the load twice. Chairman Seaman stated his opinion that the former commission com-mission "acted in good faith to (continued on page 3) More on garbage --Dumpsters could be a traffic and child hazard. Some of those opposing said the county should buy the Cedar City's landfill operation which they said would lower the rate, and provide an option to haul their own. By a vote of those attending, the problem went unresolved but with another meeting in the future. As of press time the meeting date had not been set, but is expected to be within a month. The commissioners also promised to continue to study the problem on their own as well as obtain more public input. (continued from page 1) solve a problem facing the county and which is still facing the county. We are aware that changes need to be made." Claudell Orton, co-owner of D & O Sanitation, gave a history of his company's desire for the district to be established. Mayor Kerry Jones was also invited to speak concerning the Cedar City pit situation and the amount of expense involved in maintaining a landfill. Jones commended the county commission for their choice of the Smith Pit "restoring an eyesore." Party, if the problem is not corrected to citizen's satisfaction. satisfac-tion. Allton said 50 percent of Summit's population is on a fixed income and not able to pay the $3.75 monthly charge. He said town residents were particularly displeased with the main street location of the dumping canisters, which he labeled the "white plagues." He proposed the dumpsters be removed off Main Street, with a reduced pickup schedule and reduced fee. "But that is a last resort. We would like to remove the dumpsters dump-sters altogether and haul our own." Allton said. Arguments listed Most of those voicing opposition op-position to the much debated topic had similar arguments. They included: --Still have to haul garbage to even get to a dumpster. -Cast is unreasonable for the amount of service. -Receptacles are always full and overflowing. -Open dumpsters blow garbage gar-bage onto nearby fields. -It was forced onto the citizenry without a vote or hearing. -Canisters are an eyesore. -County is doing the billing, collection, etc. for a private business. The private business has a monopoly. -People should have the option to haul their own or to contract with D & O. What want? Parowan Mayor Kendall Gurr told the crowded courtroom of spectators "I can't decide which side I'm on." He said he always asks himself when he sees garbage on the roadside, "Is that what we really want?" He also gave a brief history of Parowan's garbage problem, stating the city has received a variance to burn openly in their dump until June 30, so a new site or equipment equip-ment can be had. "Maybe we need more study, but we need a solution to the problem," Gurr said. "Hauling garbage in a closed vehicle is a must. We must control it." Summit representative Mark Allton, however, promised an "Iron County Garbage Party" in remembrance of the Boston Tea |