December 6, 2007
We elect our leaders in the hope they will govern wisely without arrogance, firmly but with compassion, and employ the greatest care to protect us all from unintended consequences. That hope got crushed in
I was at the public meeting at the high school called by the Sparta Town Council last Friday night. Residents showed up to get their feelings heard on the council’s garbage plans. Are you a
With couple-three exceptions, all in the audience Friday, and again on Saturday before the council voted, were against the garbage contract proposal. Primary objection was the Mayor’s failure to allow any homeowner the option of not participating, to “opt out” if you do not want to pay over two hundred dollars for a town utility you would not use. You are happy, thank you, with your current disposal methods? Too bad.
Opposition to the Mayor’s plan was articulate and angry and not just for the money or because the plan is mandatory. A homeowner who fails to pay this “tax increase” even risks loosing their home. Don’t pay and the Sparta Council places a lien on your home with 18 percent interest charges compounded daily. Got that? Independent brokers can purchase that debt lien on your house from the town, and take your home. Don’t think that’s real? A guy who spoke at the Friday meeting does exactly that. It’s real.
Plus, it turns out, the council never even considered requiring the opt-out feature as part of their contract bid search. Blue Diamond, the winning bidder, allows
This is clearly Mayor Speckhardt’s baby. He says his plan benefits the “silent majority.” You got it wrong, mayor, it does not. Go back and read the first paragraph of this letter. Mayor Speckhardt and Councilmen Goldberg and Brady voted the majority that passed the new garbage collection plan.
Your first payment will be in January.
Myron Leski,
