New color-coded garbage can system stinks, Modesto residents say | Opinion
Toxic leadership
I can’t understand the Republican criticism of the supposedly slow response to the toxic spill in Ohio. There was something toxic in the White House for four years and they did nothing about it.
Jack Heinsius, Modesto
Garbage color can-tastrophe
The criteria for what goes in the blue, black and green garbage cans is illogical for our household. Putting out the green cans every other week, which now have to hold all food, landscape waste, soiled paper, cardboard and paper products, is absurd. Our blue and black cans could easily only be put out once a month (or more) and never be full. If I had my way, the blue cans should be painted green, the black painted blue and the green could adequately hold our recycling items. When the weather turns warmer and citizens are working in the yard, trimming, planting and pruning, it will be even worse. I also believe the criteria for what goes where should be more detailed. Please, please change the color can criteria.
Leslie B Cervantes, Modesto
Too many cans, not enough pick-ups
I belong to a Nextdoor group and have been seeing myriad complaints from neighbors regarding our green barrels, now emptied only twice each month. Many people, like us, fill the green barrel weekly and now have nowhere but the street to put lawn refuse. We also now have nowhere to put old newspapers, unwanted mail and food scraps. Speaking of food scraps, they begin to rot and smell after sitting in the barrel for two weeks. Wouldn’t it make more sense to collect the green barrels three times each month and the new blue barrels only once? Does the city have a plan to spend more time and money on street cleaners who will be needed to clear all the piles collecting near gutters? We were told that an additional green barrel could be provided at a nominal cost each month, but we barely have room for these current three barrels and really don’t want a fourth. We are glad Modesto finally provided recycling bins (something Turlock has done for years), but from what my neighbors are saying, the green barrels are filled much quicker than the blue. I think the current schedule needs to be re-evaluated.
Nancy Haskett, Modesto
Taxing time of year
It’s that time of year again. Christmas? Not unless you’re a politician. Tax time. When tripping over the dog becomes kickin’ the dog. According to California tax law, any item that can be seen, weighed, measured, felt or touched is taxable. You buy any item in this state and it gets taxed 7.25%-10.75% depending on where you live in the state. Imagine all the revenue the state collects from our 30 million taxpayers in just one day. It’s enough to pay all the state’s obligations and still have $29 billion in surplus at the end of the year. Then, just about this time of year, you pay taxes on the money you earn. It’s not the money you earned minus all the taxes you had to pay during the year but just your yearly income. Then the feds want their piece of your hind end. But on a much grander scale. It’s heartwarming to see all my hard earned money has improved this country by leaps and bounds. Have you ever seen a politician at the gas pump? Fairness in taxation is somewhere between fooled and screwed.
Rick Kimble, Riverbank
Public comment deserves more time
At the last Turlock City Council meeting, in a 3-2 vote, our city council changed the rules of public comment. Instead of getting five minutes to speak on topics or issues of your choosing, public comment has now been cut back to three. This is simply not enough time to properly explain yourself to your fellow community members and the city council and mayor. Public comment is an opportunity for members of the public to come and speak on issues affecting the city and their community. It should be a place where we can explore ideas and properly discuss what is happening within Turlock. I worry that these new rules will discourage community members from coming up and speaking in front of the city council, which is already a bit nerve-racking. I strongly believe that these new rules need to be challenged and that the public deserves the right to be heard for their full five minutes.
Ryan Taylor, Turlock