Re: LETTER: Why we should support RDCK curbside collection, April 11
We will be voting no to this service proposal from our regional district, and no matter of the outcome of the vote we will not participate in its implementation.
We already have plenty of plastic bins to manage our garbage and recycling and we don’t want to encourage further production and distribution of plastic.
Our compost is an integral part of our gardening system and produces valuable organic soil. To replace it would cost us money. RDCK should pay us for that and not the other way around.
One of the advantages of living in a rural area is that we live independently of services and our taxes are more manageable. Apparently this is slowly disappearing.
If other residents feel that they need assistance with their garbage they should turn to private local contractors.
Anne Desjardins
North Shore
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Re: LETTER: Why we should support RDCK curbside collection, April 11
The RDCK wants residents to stop sending recyclable materials and organic waste to the landfill. This is a good goal.
Currently, Area F residents take different types of recyclable materials to different drop-off sites, which is inconvenient but doable.
The RDCK has built an organic waste composting facility and recently made it possible to drop off separated organic waste at the Grohman transfer station. Great, although many residents don’t know about this.
On May 11, Area F residents can vote in a referendum to pay for curbside collection of separated waste. Some recyclables will still have to be taken to a Nelson depot. Nobody can opt out if most vote yes.
In a referendum, voters are the decision-makers. The RDCK needs to provide objective information so residents can make informed decisions. Instead, RDCK’s recent flyer tries to sell curbside pickup without discussing all concerns.
There are safety concerns, including for kids walking to the school bus on steep winter roads without sidewalks. How will the snowplows navigate around the bins? Will our winter roads become narrower?
Banff and Jasper have rejected curbside pickup because of wildlife conflicts.
The RDCK says strategies for managing issues will be provided if the referendum passes. The information is needed before the referendum so we understand what is expected of us and what risks we will have to live with.
Voters need an objective summary of the options, including the pros and cons of each.
1. Status quo with better communication about the current opportunity to bring separated organics to the transfer station.
2. Streamlining drop-off so residents don’t have to go to multiple sites.
3. Curbside pickup.
Based on available information, we can’t support curbside pickup.
Cathy Scott-May
Bonnington
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Re: LETTER: Why we should support RDCK curbside collection, April 11
Curb? What curb?
We live on a steep, narrow, winding dirt road, that even the sanding truck can’t always manage.
And the bins pictured in the literature with their cute little wheels would probably be great to move from a garage onto a paved driveway, but we don’t have either a garage or pavement.
We currently have an efficient, convenient system in place for managing our composting, recycling and garbage.
Please do not impose an expensive “service” on us that we would not use!
Bonnie and Peter Williams
Sproule Creek