Politics & Government

Private Garbage Collection Favored by Mayoral Candidates

J. William Reynolds comes out in support of private haulers with zoned collection days for city neighborhoods. Bob Donchez agrees.

 

If Mayor John Callahan does not eliminate private home trash collection before he leaves office, you can expect that his successor will allow private contractors to continue picking up Bethlehem residential trash.

At a news conference Wednesday, Democratic mayoral candidate J. William Reynolds said he favors leaving trash collection in the hands of private haulers.

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However, he said he would aim to layer on a system of “zoned hauling” in which trash collection would only be allowed on specific days in specific neighborhoods.

“Residents should not have to look at trash on their block 24-7,” said Reynolds, who is currently serving his second term on City Council.

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One of the biggest criticisms of the city’s current trash collection system is that “every day is trash day” on many city streets as every home’s trash collection time is set individually.

Councilman Bob Donchez, Reynolds’ opponent in the Democratic mayoral primary, also favors zoned trash collection with private haulers, said his campaign spokeswoman Sally Handlon.

One of the key benefits of such a system is that it should cut down on the daily garbage truck traffic on residential streets, Handlon said.

Reynolds said zoned hauling will also make it easier to identify residents who are not complying with the city’s trash and rubbish laws.

Bethlehem is the largest city in Pennsylvania that does not have single hauler residential trash collection.

Callahan proposed implementing a single-hauler system as he unveiled his 2013 budget proposal, saying it would save residents money and result in cleaner streets. But opponents—many of whom were private trash collectors—packed Town Hall during budget sessions to protest and lobby council to reject the mayor’s proposal.

Council did reject the single-hauler proposal by a 4-3 vote—with both Reynolds and Donchez casting votes with the majority. But opponents of the plan also expressed openness to further study of the issue and Callahan has proceeded with that.

As the administration reviews bids for one private hauler to continue to collect city recyclables, it is also reviewing options for single-hauler trash collection. The results of that bidding process is expected to be unveiled in late May, after the primary election is finished.

When asked, Reynolds said he would continue to vote against a single-hauler proposal if it is brought before council again this year.

Reynolds and Donchez, now serving his fifth term on City Council, are the only announced candidates for mayor. There are no Republican candidates.

That means selection of Bethlehem’s 12th mayor will likely be decided in the May primary.


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