To the editor:
All of the refuse and trash services doing business within the Blue Springs city limits of Blue Springs seem to have come to the same conclusion , “it’s a done deal.”
So here are a few points about this discussion:
1. Why hasn’t the Blue Springs Chamber of Commerce, an organization that represents private business ownership and it’s benefits to the nation, state and local citizens, supported EJC businesses? These businesses possibly will be shut down and hundreds of jobs eliminated if the city takes over a private enterprise.
2. The Commission studying the issue by many involved is perceived to have already OK’d, eliminating private trash hauling within the city limits of Blue Springs, and the remaining issue is when it will be implemented.
3. Mayor Ross and columnist Jeff Quibell deny that any decision has been made, in an e-mail between Jeff and I, Jeff said he was reading the body language of those on the Trash Commission and detected no decision making had been done. I was impressed he could detect all of that through a TV!
4. My judgment is, if the city does take over the duties of private businesses, the city will mandate that Blue Springs citizens will have to have more services than just trash pickup. I suspect the actual cost to homeowners will double with a city trash service. The city will add fees above and beyond the actual costs of the service and the profits will go into the general fund to cover lost tax revenues and also to cover the possibility that RED can’t cover their obligations, which the city is obligated to. Under Mayor Carson Ross the city has underwritten RED’s obligations for the Adam’s Dairy project.
5. The real issue: When does a municipality have the right to take over the responsibilities of private enterprises? In my opinion, never. Issue 2: Jobs in 2010 are golden. Having a job and supporting a family and putting a roof over their head is extremely more important than the city of Blue Springs eliminating private businesses.
