The county is several weeks into its trash pickup pilot program, and so far, the reviews are mixed among Sunflower County residents.
It’s nothing County Administrator Fred Washington didn’t foresee.
“We’re learning something new,” Washington told The Enterprise-Tocsin this week. “We’re trying to get to everybody.”
The county was all but forced into the situation this past spring when Waste Pro USA, the former contractor in charge of garbage pickup, continued to show what the county considered disregard when it came to fulfilling its contractual obligations.
The county sent Waste Pro a breach of contract notice and proceeded to bid out the trash services, but no one was available to take over pickup until at least the fall.
That’s when the Sunflower County Board of Supervisors tasked Washington with drawing up plans for the pilot program, which has grown to two used trucks and about 10 new hires.
The county road department has played an instrumental role in getting it started, Washington said.
“The road department has been assisting us as we stand this up,” he said.
Essentially, the county is in the process of creating its own sanitation department, all the while trying to learn the routes and pick up literally tons of trash.
Washington said the crew picked up 50 tons in just a little under two weeks when the program started.
“We have a schedule right now,” he said. “We’re a bit behind, but we are learning the routes. We’re starting to pick up in District 5 on Mondays, Districts 3 and 4 on Tuesdays and Districts 1 and 2 on Wednesdays.”
Citizens who responded to an E-T Facebook survey seem more understanding than not of the situation, but they are clearly getting frustrated some routes are missed for weeks at a time.
““It’s a hit or miss but still better than the company that was contracted to pick up the garbage,” Kathy Jones Garrett said. “I think we just have to be thankful for a county that is willing to work hard until the contract expires and we can get a new company.”
Some have been less sympathetic.
“It’s the worst!!,” said Barbara Aycock. “We live in Caile and if we get picked up every 14 days we are lucky. You never know when they will pick up.”
The “spotty” nature of the service seems to be a the heart of most complaints.
“Very spotty pickup,” said Ruth Carmen Poindexter. “If we have a full can of garbage, we take it to the road and leave it because we never know when the county will pick it up…I feel they are doing the best they can, given their circumstances. Not the employees' fault at all. Need to re-think entire system.”
Washington said most of the issues have to do with learning the routes and the nooks and crannies within the county.
“Some of it is we’re learning boundaries,” Washington said. “There’s some things we really thought were city, but the people are right on the county line, right on the line. Some of that and some of the isolated areas, we’re still learning.”
Washington said he is in the process of looking for a manager for the pilot program. He hopes to have someone hired by the end of the month.
Right now, Washington said the schedule calls for pickup in District 5 on Mondays, Districts 3 and 4 on Tuesdays and Districts 1 and 2 on Wednesdays.
