PORTAGE, MI (WKZO AM/FM) – The most divisive issue in Portage in years isn’t going away.
The city will implement a new single-hauler trash system in March, despite a citizen referendum on the question in May.
Petitions with over 4,000 signatures were collected, opposing the council’s decision last year to designate Waste Management as the sole provider of residential trash collection in the city. They were the low bidder for the contract.
Last night, more angry residents came out to express their support for the referendum, to speak against Waste Management and to oppose the council’s decision to go with just one firm.
Others supported the change, disputing claims made by opponents that the opposition is a grassroots movement, and say it was actually orchestrated by Best Way Disposal, which lost the bid.
City Manager Patrick McGinnis says the change will benefit both residents and the city.
Mayor Patricia Randall says homeowners should get ready for the change the city is going to be going through over the next few months.
The council meeting was briefly interrupted to issue a warning to members of the crowd to “stop blurting out insults and clapping,” which was deemed a violation of decorum.
What happens if voters trash the city’s plans and decide to reject the change over to Waste Management? That remains the subject of much speculation. City officials say they plan to discuss their options with their lawyers.
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