THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Monday, October 9, 1995 TAG: 9510050017
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A8 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Short : 48 lines
Regarding ``2 recycling programs a waste?'' (MetroNews, Sept. 11): As a Virginia Beach resident and the fourth generation involved in a family recycling business, I support and encourage recycling. I do not disagree that Virginia Beach's recycling program does in some cases support SPSA's program. My concerns as a taxpayer, businessman and recycling expert are addressed in the second half of the article.
Virginia Beach's contract with New England CRInc. is a loser for the city and its citizens. Before the agreement was signed, it was personally challenged in a City Council meeting for this very reason. Wouldn't the elimination of subsidies which have cost Virginia Beach more than $325,000 in tax dollars and lost revenue since 1993 encourage competition and provide greater benefits at a lower overall cost?
Virginia Beach has decided to ``shop around and find the best available market.'' Residents may remember back in 1992/1993 when Virginia Beach did not have a market for newspapers and had to send them to the landfills. Why did the city not elect to guarantee a market? And why has the city denied requests to require a written bid instead of a verbal bid? It seems logical that the city would want a written bid to eliminate confusion, guarantee a price and market and, most important, maintain its integrity.
It is difficult to understand why Virginia Beach is not using all of the SPSA services it is paying for. SPSA can offer drop-off services for recyclables at no additional cost to Virginia Beach taxpayers, but Virginia Beach refuses this service. Instead, Virginia Beach operates its own program at taxpayers' expense.
Is it too much to ask the city to eliminate subsidies to New England CRInc. that allow it to compete unfairly against local businesses at taxpayers' expense? Doesn't it make sense for the city, which is a part of SPSA's system, to use all of the services it is paying for, including SPSA's drop-off program?
It's no wonder that taxpayers cannot understand public policy and politics.
MICHAEL BENEDETTO
Executive vice president
Tidewater Fibre Corp.
Chesapeake, Sept. 22, 1995 by CNB