By Kevin Skoglund Santa Monica
Each Saturday, the city garbage trucks are supposed to empty our cans. Each Saturday, the driver picks up the trash from the cans on the east side of the alley and invariably, his truck fills up and he heads back to the dump to unload. Unfortunately, he doesn’t return to finish emptying the cans on the west side of the alley. Therefore, condo and apartment building owners who are paying the city more than a private contractor would charge, are getting only one pick-up a week instead of the two they pay for. Of course, trash cans tend to overflow before the Wednesday pick-up.
And of course, we read in the Daily Press the city is increasing its fees. As part of their rationale, they cite increased labor costs. Oh boy. We now get to pay 40 percent more for less service and the drivers make more for not doing their job. The People’s Republic still thrives.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on July 5, 2005. Read the original PDF.