State Law mandates that everyone is supposed to do recycle if a Community has over 10K in population. In Vienna if one lives in an apartment, it has been determined that they do NOT create recyclable material. If one owns a business in Vienna, it has been determined that the business does NOT create recyclable material. Only if one lives in a home can on be required to pay the $2.50/ month for a recycling fee. Now this is for one home not a lot of money. Like the Fire/Police Fees( $l.95/ $4.05/month) and the upcoming Fire Board Fee (Tax), is only be a few bucks each month ($30.00/ year).
But when one multiplies it out by say 4500 homes (estimated), it starts to add up. 4500 x $2.45= $11,025.00/ month. Now times 12 and we are getting real beer money. $11,025.00 x 12= $132,300.00/ year. Now remember I rounded off to 4500. It may be a little less or a little more,, but one gets the idea. Now I said it was $2.45/ month. That is correct, the City keeps the extra $.05 for whatever strikes their fancy. Not a lot of money, but is supposed to be for recycle bin replacements each year.
Where this is such a sweet deal is that the recycle company only picks up about 1450 customers in any month the last time I talked to them? If as they should be paid for pick ups only that would be 1450 x $2.45= $3552.50/month. Now remember I am rounding the pickups. Could be a few more/ less. The City will instead send them a check each quarter for 1/4th of the total that would be collected each year at the $132,300. amount. A check for about $33,007.00. (again remember the numbers are rounded and may be a little more or of course a little less. Now the Vendor takes these monies and just enjoys the goodies sent their way. And what I found really neat was a couple of years ago, ( I think 2014), the Vendor had the stones to ask for an increase from the then $2.25/ month to $2.45. And the City approved it. May I ask how many people are possibly sharing this extra $55K- $60K a year for at least since 2008 ($385,000 minimum)?
And suddenly Mr. Rapp is recycle conscious. That could be where one comes up with hypocrisy? I would have to say that Mr. Rapp is a sterling example of what Ethics, Morals and Integrity stand for or not? Why would this be an issue now? Maybe because the EPA would look really hard at all that plastic going into the landfill? Mr. Rapp is doing what is called a CYA type thing or at least I am willing to question his motive for sure? All the TV interviews are is for showing to anyone (EPA), that he is following the Law.
See where the change over from P'burg to Vienna did not go as planned. These things happen so not a big deal in many respects. Would like to know if when they flush the pipes are they going to drain them first and then wash (flush) them out? Or just run water through them to clean out the old water in the City pipes while not draining any or much from the pipes going too and into customers homes/ businesses? The reason for the question is that the last time they drained the pipes in my block, the water was drained from all the filters in the water softener and water filtration system. Ruined three of the four filters and took two days of flushing to save the membrane in the water filtration. That would have been another $105.00 to replace on top of the cost of three filters and service charge. But it seems that the City does not care about collateral damage to customers?
I appreciate the efforts to provide potable water but with my Doctor telling for the past few years not to drink the water in Vienna, I do rely on the filtration system to provide ME with the cleanest possible water. Water quality before last Thursday (pre C8 standard change), may have been pure when tested at the well, but is not necessarily so at the home pipes?
The League of Women Voters are all askance because so many of you do not Vote. Seems they feel the Voters are "confused" at the process? State level of participation is a disaster. Of course it is; every petty despot in any Community can decide if the Voters in that area are even entitled to Vote in say a Primary? Some Communities as was explained to me have a Primary; some a caucus and some just an informal get together where the movers and shakers decide who will run and for what. Now that is Democracy in action. The League was worrying about Delegates and if you folks remember, I advised to be real careful about who you Voted for on the Primary Ballot for Delegate at Large and the three for our District. If one was not paying attention, we have chosen Delegates to support Mr. Paul or/ and Mr. Carson? Both very interesting men but hardly a flash on the candidate stage.
Another interesting but sad position the State of West Virginia is in is that it leads the Nation with the highest percentage of Intellectually and Disabled in general. Now I am going to send you folks back to the Advisory I noted yesterday from the ATSDR on potential problems for pregnant women, women of child bearing age, children and seniors. Also one need look at the chart put out by the EPA a few days ago where there is ongoing concerns on the risks to developmental issues for children.
So we have three (3) dots; the ATSDR Advisory that was noted to NEVER having been put out in the MOV area in 2009; the latest EPA information on issues to beware of for children and finally this survey (my words), that show West Virginia with the highest percentage of problems for Intellectual Disabilities and disabilities in general. Based on what I use to get paid to do, I might well have gone to my bosses and said "West Virginia" has gotten screwed on the safety of those that are the most vulnerable/ needing of protection?
(Paid for by the Candidate- Lawrence J. Wilson for Mayor of Vienna).