Jefferson City voters take trash issue to curb

Proposition A defeated by 74 percent margin

Arthur Brown, chairman of the committee which gathered the signatures to put Proposition A on the Jefferson City ballot, tells supporters not to be disheartened by early returns Tuesday evening at the Eastland Plaza Banquet Center. The proposal went down to defeat, but Brown said he was pleased that it was put to a public vote.
Arthur Brown, chairman of the committee which gathered the signatures to put Proposition A on the Jefferson City ballot, tells supporters not to be disheartened by early returns Tuesday evening at the Eastland Plaza Banquet Center. The proposal went down to defeat, but Brown said he was pleased that it was put to a public vote.

For Arthur Brown and the Citizens Action Committee Against Ordinance 14487, victory on Jefferson City's Proposition A did not come Tuesday night.

It came Tuesday morning.

"We are just overjoyed that we got it to a vote of the people," said Brown, the chairman of the committee. "Our mission was to get it to a vote, since it was not done the first time. Now, the people have spoken."

In Tuesday's election, Proposition A was defeated soundly by 74 percent of the vote, with almost 5,670 voting against it. The measure would have eliminated the requirement that trash be collected only by an authorized collector.

As for the Citizens for Responsible Progress, Tuesday night's vote reinforced what co-chairman Jim Crabtree said has been evidenced from the beginning of the research process for the city's trash contract.

"We put so much time in preparing for this trash system, and every time we went to a survey - and there were three independent surveys - the numbers were 70 percent or more, "We want it,'" Crabtree said. "After we did the pilot, the same said, "We like it.' So, I am not surprised, but I am relieved."

Is this the end of this issue? Find out what both sides have to say about the possibility of "tweaking" parts of the current trash contract as the new city council is installed. See our newspaper or e-Edition for Wednesday, April 5, 2011.

Other election stories today:

Two incumbents re-elected to Jefferson City council

Youngest candidate takes most JC school board votes

Walker, Stumpe get the nod for JC municipal court positions

Holts Summit approves sewer bond

Cole County school districts, towns pick officials

Siegel re-elected to Board of Aldermen in New Bloomfield

Two new school board members chosen at New Bloomfield

Incumbents return to South Callaway School Board, Laughlin takes open seat

Lake of the Ozarks area issues and tax initiatives decided