Published: October 07, 2008 11:41 pm      

‘That's just garbage!’

Council members riled at Waste Management

If you want to raise the hair on the backs of council member's necks then just say two words: "Waste Management."

During Tuesday morning's meeting, city council members showed their dissatisfaction over the job Waste Management personnel are doing for the citizens of Meridian. More than one of the members of the panel spoke of problems they've seen, including sloppy work and inconsistent pickup routes.

"They just don't seem to give a damn," said Ward 1 Councilman George Thomas, clearly disgusted with the service he's seen. "Maybe if we quit paying them they'd wake up!"

What suddenly raised the ire of the council members was an order on the agenda to authorize Waste Management to remove and dispose of contaminated soil generated from a manhole overflow at the Certain Teed facility located at the South Industrial Park. The cost to dispose of the waste at the Chemical Waste Management Facility in Emelle, Ala., would cost $9,000. But given the mood of the council members it was a real possibility the order would not be approved.

"I would love to see some sort of consistency in how they do their jobs," said Ward 5 Councilman John Harris.

"I've been taking pictures of all the trouble spots in my area," added Council President Mary Perry of Ward 2.

Attempting to calm down the sudden outpouring of Waste Management bashing, Mayor John Robert Smith said he was going to meet with the regional representative from Waste Management and the city official whose job it is to oversee their work to try and rectify the problems loudly voiced by the council members.

"We have someone on staff whose job it is to monitor their work and we will make sure they are aware of our concerns," said Smith.

And the order to allow Waste Management to dispose of the hazardous material? It was approved with the only dissenting vote coming from Thomas.

In other business, council members unanimously approved an order to permit the use of Meridian Parks and Recreation Frank Cochran Center to be a Red Cross Shelter.

The council also authorized raises to city employees, police and firefighters as stated in the FY 2009 budget. Those raises represent a 2 1/2 year commitment of a 5 percent raise for police officers as well as 5 percent for firefighters. City employees will receive a 3 percent raise.