Resident urges ‘don’t trash free choice’

February 21, 2008

To the Editor:

On Tuesday, March 11, the Citizens of Sparta will be asked to vote yes or no on the following proposition.

Shall the ordinance adopted by the Township Council on Dec. 1, 2007 entitled, “An Ordinance of the Township of Sparta, creating a solid waste utility and setting forth the method of calculation and collection of service fees for same” be ratified?

The operative word mandatory has been left out of the above referendum. However, it is “mandatory” which is causing controversy. We, the citizens of Sparta, are being duped and hoodwinked out of our rights to free choice and into just one more tax levy.

“America will never be destroyed from the outside. If we falter and lose our freedoms, it will be because we destroyed ourselves. “Abraham Lincoln

Free Enterprise is defined as: “business governed by the laws of supply and demand, not restrained by government interference, regulation or subsidy, also called free market.” That is the right of every American and what has made us great. Are we willing to forfeit our right to exercise free enterprise?

Under Sparta’s laws, residents may now choose how to dispose of our garbage, on what day, whether we need backdoor pickup, how often and how much we are willing and able to pay to dispose of our trash. The Ordinance on the March 11 Referendum takes away our right of choice and takes away the right of companies to compete in an open market, while awarding one company a monopoly.

Singles, seniors, handicapped and elderly citizens who need backdoor pickup, part time residents, those who travel extensively, those least able to pay who now opt to take their trash to the dump - all of the aforementioned citizens will be forced to pay for a Garbage Utility which does not meet their needs.

This nation was founded by a revolt over repressive tax policies. At the Dec. 27 meeting at the Town Hall, Mayor Spekhardt stated that some other towns had adopted mandatory no opt out ordinances and that justifies Sparta doing so. This is no reason for us to give up our right to free choice.

Of some 40 letters in local newspapers, all but one of the 18 letters opposing the Garbage Utility were signed openly by those who wrote them. Meanwhile, only six citizens of 22 letters in favor signed their names. The remainder were signed anonymously. It’s debatable whether those were written by the same person or persons reluctant to publicly support this unjust mandate.

To those who would welcome a town garbage utility, demand that the council propose an alternative referendum which is compatible with free enterprise, where citizens are free to opt in or out. This will give rest to further controversy, in addition to creating an incentive to provide the best possible service for the most competitive price to its customers.

Our nation was fought for and built upon the American right to free choice, opportunity and free and open competition. If you value those principles for yourself and your children, then you must vote no on this Mandatory Referendum which is guaranteed to deprive you of the right of free choice.

Thanks to our local newspapers that have supported our First Amendment

Right to Free Speech by publishing our comments.

Jacqueline Kroschell