Candidates Comment on Gwinnett Trash Program

In part four of our weeklong series, each of the candidates for chair of the Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners was asked if he or she favored modifying or repealing the county trash program.

Though conceding repeal of the trash plan would be difficult at this point due to contractual obligations, several candidates expressed displeasure with the way the garbage pick-up program was implemented.

Candidates Charlotte Nash of Dacula, Larry Gause of Tucker, Gerald Duane Kissel of Snellville and Will Costa of Lilburn were each asked to weigh in on the county- run program.

Dacula Patch did not limit the length of the responses. Each candidate’s answer is presented unedited and in its entirety.

Dacula Patch asked: “Are you in favor of modifying or repealing the trash plan? Why or why not?”

CHARLOTTE NASH: If it was possible to do so without severe financial implications, I would be in favor of totally repealing the current approach to trash collection within unincorporated Gwinnett and starting over. However, attempting to break the existing contracts with the haulers would be a long, hard battle that would result in substantial legal and settlement costs. The more practical approach at this time is to focus on modifying some aspects of the plan such as inflexible requirements without provisions for hardship cases and the method for billing and collecting fees. Additionally, the county should exert its oversight authority to more actively address issues with performance and customer service by the haulers.

WILL COSTA: The county has no business telling people what trash service to use. The county and cities can still regulate how trash is managed.  It is appropriate for a city to arrange for sanitation service, but it should be put to a public vote by the people of that city. 

LARRY GAUSE: Yes, I am in favor of repealing the trash plan. I do not believe the county commissioners listened to the residents who were overwhelmingly opposed to the plan voted on last March. I understand the county’s concern regarding the increase in trash being dumped on public lands, but the current system does not prevent trash from being dumped on public lands. Residents need to be given a choice of who their trash provider is and should have the ability to fire a company should rates increase above the market average or in case their service declines. The current system has taken this option away from the residents.

DUANE KISSEL: I feel that the current trash plan was implemented in the wrong way. Government officials are elected to represent the citizens. Yet the citizens were never asked for their input in this, or several other recent issues that cost taxpayers a considerable amount of money. My opinion as to whether it should be repealed or not is of little importance. A binding contract has been signed and to attempt to dissolve the contract will ultimately result in lawsuit the county cannot afford at this point. However, not knowing all the details, terms, or length of the contract I would certainly say it is worth reviewing when the opportunity arises. At that time, I would recommend the county do what the citizens want for a change.