Did you know?

Editor: $1,306,949 of taxpayer money was appropriated by County
Council, on outside legal fees alone, on behalf of the Public Works
Dept.; to study, produce a report and author a contract
to privatize/divest the County’s Transfer Stations aka the dumps,
from July, 1 ‘08 – July 1, ’09. When queried why outside Council
was necessary the response was that “they didn’t have the
time”.
This figure does not include; staff time, travel, meals
etc. When accurate and complete expenditures associated with the
Divestiture/Selling of the Transfer Stations was requested from
County Council and Public Works, repeated requests went unanswered,
and though requested, no reason was offered even though the
information is a Matter of Public Record.
When repeatedly asked; how many jobs would be eliminated,
revenue lost, services and availability reduced and accountability
placed on Republic, again, requests went unanswered, and though
requested, no reason was offered.
Effective July 1, 2009 all Transfer Stations closed on Sundays,
hours at the two busiest stations Sonoma/Petaluma and Central, were
reduced to 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Guerneville and Annapolis were
closed an additional day. The residences of the west and far north
county have enough of a challenge accessing pick up, even when it
is available.
Now the Public Works dept. is recommending that a company based
in Arizona take over this vital and much needed public service.
Did you know? If, the sale of the landfill/dumps is approved,
the purchaser has the right to bring in garbage from other counties
and dump it Sonoma County.
Did you know? Under this proposal, the Contractor can close four
out of five county dump sites in five years. Language taken
directly from the contract: “The Guerneville and Healdsburg
Transfer Stations will be operated by Republic under the terms of a
75 year lease agreement”. Royalties paid back to the County, which
are not guaranteed, are based on the fluctuating consumer price
index and $9 a ton.
Did you know? Marin County divested their refuse disposal sites
and customers are paying $45 in tipping fees/charges per
cubic yard vs. Sonoma County’s charge of $20. And, there is no
restriction on increases in the contract for the general
public.
Did you know? Alameda County Board of Supervisors is in dispute
with Republic for abusing the same type of contract that is
proposed by Public Works for Sonoma County.
Did you know? The Public Works Dept.  intends to relinquish
responsibility for animal road abatement and illegally dumped
refuse along, and in, our roads and waterways. But rather, extend
the use of an independent contractor and that of the Sheriff and
Animal Control departments.
Did you know? There is something you can do, contact your
Supervisor, let them know how the selling of this vital County
service will affect you, your employment, the environment, public
health, tourism and the quality of our life in Sonoma County. If we
don’t have our voices heard and presence known how is the Board,
the decision makers, suppose to know we care?
Cynthia Coffman
Santa Rosa