Dearborn’s trash is a thing of beauty to the four disposal companies currently providing services to the city.
Three of those companies had representatives present at the Dearborn Board of Aldermen earlier this month. Board members heard from residents on both sides of the fence about the possibility of the city changing to a single service provider.
Two women at the meeting said they were neighbors but had opposing opinions about one company providing trash service for the entire city.
One woman said she felt people had enough big government making decisions for them and didn’t want Dearborn’s city officials to follow suit.
“I don’t believe we should be told what to do,” she said. “I don’t think you should give a contract to one man.”
Her neighbor said having one provider would reduce the amount of trucks currently coming through Dearborn on different days, which she thinks tears up the streets and is dangerous for children and other vehicles on the road.
Another question from some residents was whether the provider or the city would do the billing if they went with a single service provider. Alderman B. Edwards weighed in with his opinion.
“I don’t think the city needs to get into collecting money or trash,” Edwards said. “We have enough trouble with collecting sewer and water (bills).”
Terry Peterson, owner of Redgate Disposal and a current disposal service provider for the city, agreed that having multiple haulers was tearing up the city’s roads.
“Right now you have four trash companies,” Peterson said. “I think that’s just crazy, but that’s just me.”
The representatives from the three disposal companies in attendance at Monday night’s meeting tipped their hands about their interest in competing to be the sole provider to Dearborn.
“I have an interest,” Peterson said. “The advantage I can see with one provider is that in a condensed area like Dearborn you make money.”
Boley Harmer, owner of Harmer’s General Hauling, said he has been servicing Dearborn for many years. However, he told board members that not enough residents were present at Monday night’s meeting to get a good feel for what they wanted.
“The citizens are not here, and they are who will be mad,” he said. “I think the citizens should be enlightened and be able to vote.”
Paul Howe from Deffenbaugh said they “certainly don’t mind competing” to be the only provider in Dearborn.
“(Competition) keeps me honest,” he said.
Mayor Jamie Morey said the board was only listening to residents’ opinions for now and would not be making decisions right now.