[speedgibson] Speed Gibson: Coon Rapids Beware

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Posted by Speed Gibson:
Coon Rapids Beware
http://speedgibson.powerblogs.com/posts/1191034096.shtml


   I heard on Jason Lewis that Coon Rapids wants to take the first step
   toward - what's the word, municipalization? - of trash hauling. The
   reasons aren't exactly clear, something about fewer trucks reducing
   wear and tear on the city streets.
   Supposedly they want to do a one-city bid, and for all trash to be
   picked up the same day of the week throughout the city. Supposedly
   this solves some problem with snow plowing, too.
   Coon Rapids residents should beware. Do you want your trash hauler
   working for you or the apparatchik at City Hall?
   Robbinsdale went totally public when I lived there, meaning trash was
   hauled by City employees. It wasn't long before rationing began - only
   two "free" bags per week. Each additional bag required a cute sticker
   with a robin on it, available at City Hall for $1 each.
   Worse, we soon found out that these City employees were also
   ex-officio code compliance officers. I received a curt letter from the
   city pointing out that the paint on my garage was peeling. I knew
   that, and was planning on repainting that spring. Of course, the
   weather didn't allow painting until May at the earliest. I called the
   City, asking why I was being accused of being my own slumlord so
   prematurely, but as is so typical, they couldn't have cared less.
   The next year or two came another letter about a small pile of
   construction debris on my back yard, from a project in progress. It
   would have been, was in fact, gone two weeks later as planned. My
   complaint fell on the same unsympathetic, uncaring ear. I did find out
   however that both citations had come via reports from my city employee
   trash hauler. This was one of several reasons why we didn't buy our
   next house in Robbinsdale, nor ever will. It was a pleasure signing up
   for private trash hauling at the next house.
   These days, in fact, there's a new threat, that they'll want to
   inspect your trash to see if you're recycling properly, don't have too
   much food waste, or appear to be consuming red meat and fois gras.
   Is this what you want, good people of Coon Rapids?