Garbage Collection

[Michael Cayley]

Clearly there are many different ways that the community can pull together during this strike. Please share with us how you and your neighbors are dealing with the situation ...

Should we be thinking about organising private collection or another alternative method of collaboration through Riverdale Rapids?

Is this a ideological question for you? I.e. is this question related to your support for this strike or collective bargaining in general?

How do you think we would go about it self organising? Who has a truck? Do we look towards a private contractor?

Do you have any other views to express about this garbage strike?

[Lewin Webb]

What portion of our Property Tax should we be holding back on? or asking (demanding...) a refund for? against the possible infringement of a necessary service? Last time I looked, we have effectively pre-paid for this service - on what legal basis are they now striking? Ridiculous. And, if we engage, collectively, a private service to collect our garbage, does the city have the obligation to cover the cost through either a refund of taxes or other? Next thing you know, the LCBO will be going on strike, another government controlled necessary service! Ridiculous.

[Elaine Dickson]

There is no way that I would pay for private garbage collection. I pay enough in property taxes which, last time I checked, included garbage pick up. I will be dropping my garbage off at the Bermondsey transfer station or, better yet, leaving it on the front steps of the CUPE building.
Does anyone know where that is???

[Michael Cayley]

Hmmm ... were there any cases during previous strikes that the city gave tax credits for private garbage collection?

[David Creelman]

This is a good chance to build community spirit. On Cambridge one local builder has already offered to help organize runs to the dump in a pick up truck -- and I'm going to see if I can get a composter which I will share with my neighbours. Or if you are a member of Autoshare you can borrow the van for an hour to take a load of garbage to the dump.

I think the right scale for organizing this is probably about 5-15 houses.

But we should see this as a time to be leaders in approaching a few neighbours and say "I'll get a van/pickup and take down a load of garbage next Tuesday" or "I've set up a composter for green waste, you can use it too."

In the difficult economic times ahead small community actions will be more important than ever. This is a great opportunity for us to work together.

[Kelly Gadzala]

Hi David,

I'm a journalist at the Town Crier group of community papers and have interviewed one RR member about the garbage storing initiative he's started on his street. Would you be interested in chatting with me, today if possible, about your ideas on strike/garbage solutions and community action? I'm working on a story about community banding together during the strike.

If so please feel free to contact me directly at 416-785-4311 x 359.

Many thanks!

Kelly Gadzala/Town Crier newspapers, www.mytowncrier.ca

[Michael Cayley]

Hey Kelly, did your story run yet? Can you share a link with us?

[Janis Clennett]

An interesting thought! I don't want private collection unless I get a reduction in my tax. Why pay twice for the same thing? Also, I've been doing some research lately for a client involving recycling in Toronto. Toronto actually holds an auction so that companies pay the city for our garbage. Highest bid wins of course. A private company would do the same thing but shouldn't they be paying us for the priviledge of using our 'raw materials'?
Just a thought.
Here's another - Do you believe that the city negotiators are reflecting your values and opinions with the package that is currently on the table? They are doing this in our name. Maybe we should be more vocal.

[Andy Strote]

Children, children, children...... I applaud those who would figure out as a group how to make the best of this. I do not believe that something like garbage should be privatized. It creates a greater public divide. Is it private garbage collection for those who can afford it? A garbage strike is a minor inconvenience. Get over it. If you live in Riverdale, you are likely among the top 1% of the world's population in terms of living standards. Be grateful.

And no, I don't necessarily support either the union or the city's position as much as I know about them. But I do know that it will be resolved, one way or another. And we will all move on.

[Paul Charbonneau]

As we write, people in Toronto are organizing to do this.

Myself and a few neighbours are already engaged in cooperating on this initiative for our little sector of Ward 29.

I have given over an empty garage space (got rid of the car) and selected neighbours have placed all their receptacles within - all secured from animals and illegal dumpers - which we can arrange to have carted away weekly how ever long we are held hostage in this silly labour issue.

There are 3 other in the 'hood doing similar - using older versions of "garbage" cans and re-using them to store clean recyclables, green stuff and refuse.
Many garages in the area can become clean holding areas and we can share the load.

For us and our neighbours it is working to allow folks to be more responsible and not be so thwarted by special interest groups holding our city at ransom - it's about taking back the initiative to do something about it.

Or, we can just dump stuff in our parks and school yards and let the rats take care of it.

It's a clear choice for me and others.

Regards,

PC

[Kelly Gadzala]

Hi Paul,

I've been a (rather inactive) member of RR for almost a year and yesterday received the thread to this discussion in my work email inbox. I'm also a journalist working on a story for the Town Crier group of community newspapers and am looking to chat with locals who are working together as a community during the strike. Would you be interested in talking with me about what you and your neighbours are doing with your garbage, or do you know any people who may like to do so?

If any one else who is in on the discussion would like to share their view please do contact me.

You may reach me at 416-785-4311 x359 today, Thursday, and tomorrow morning, Friday.

All the best!

Kelly Gadzala/special projects/ business editor at Town Crier newspapers
www.mytowncrier.ca

[Michael Cayley]

Great to have you joining the conversation Kelly.

[Guy Skipworth]

During the last strike I borrowed a friend's van and took my neighbours stuff down to commissioners. worked out fine. I will probably do the same thing as I suspect the strike will last for some time.

I won't be demanding a tax refund but it would be interesting to now if the city is saving $ due to the strike (savings in wages and costs of running trucks vs. overtime for city managers.)