Proposed Curbside Garbage Collection continued

This comment posted by Bev Lorimer is so full of good information I thought I should post it as an article instead:

Three or four weeks ago I sent an email to TNRD re the proposed garbage changes. My reply was in the form letter that we all received from our regional director.

LLJ residents will be taxed to pay for pick-up ( as stated in letter from TNRD regional representative). Part time and/ or seasonal residents will pay the same.

The point that Elna Strand made re bears should be a real issue. Just ask residents in Kamloops, North Vancouver, and Coquitlam about their bear / garbage encounters.

In the summer and fall when the wildlife are about we can get rid of our household waste twice a week. Weekend residents can get rid of it as they leave on Sunday. When curbside pick up was first discussed a few years ago the plan was for weekly…..OR LESS FREQUENT pick up.

For those of us who take recycling and composting seriously we will now be penalized because the tax man does not care who disposes of what! We all pay the same for the service.

The Lodge and the Park will have to go along with this weekly (?) program too. The Strands pointed out that local ranchers will be affected as well.

Many complained about the “dollar a bag” program but I think the majority of us have gotten quite used to it. The result of that program was to maintain the transfer station and to have an attendant. Our community is now much more interested in recycling and composting and we need to be able to continue to do this.

TNRD addresses below:

• Greg Toma. Chief Administrative Officer. TNRD
• Peter Hughes. Director Environmental Services. TNRD
• Don May. Manager Environmental Health Services. TNRD
• Martin Dickson. Environmental Service Technologist. TNRD (looks after our area)

…..all reachable at TNRD 300- 465 Victoria St. Kamloops V2C 2A9

And the instigator of this plan is our regional representative on the TNRD Board (this is an ELECTED position)

Mrs. Ronaye Elliott
PO Box 171, Savona, BC. V0K 2J0

Our letter writing and phoning made a difference the last time TNRD wanted to close our transfer station. Please write the above representatives. If you are having trouble composing a letter there are neighbours who will help.

Here are a few more notes to add to Bev's excellent observations and advice:

The email address for our regional representative, Roanye Elliott, is ronaye@direct.ca. I have already sent her a message pointing her to these blog posts.

Another person you may wish to include in your correspondence is:
Mr. Steve Wasylik
Conservation Officer Services
1259 Dalhousie Drive
Kamloops, BC V2C2A9

This advice is on the Canadian Bear Smart website under For Policymakers - Become a Bear Smart Community section, and also on the BC Ministry of Environment website.

Community officials should seriously consider eliminating curbside pick up. Providing bears with access to garbage creates the potential for human-bear conflict and an unsafe environment for residents.