Dear Editor:
Recycling has increased seven-fold in Jefferson City. In addition, when the citywide trash collection began over 1,080 tons (2 million pounds) of trash was "found."Â
So where did all of that trash come from?
I have personally witnessed an empty trash container on Cherry and McCarty, before the citywide trash service, become full by the next morning, all by illegal dumpers, not the residents that were suppose to use that trash container.Â
Most of the dumpers did drive by's in the night, or were the neighbors who decided to keep a little extra cash and bank that you were going to pay for trash service; anyway it was virtually impossible to correct and prosecute the illegal trash dumping activity.
I was also briefed that residents were burying trash on their land. It's their land, right? Well what happens when there is a lot of trash in the soil? The soil is contaminated and when animals eat from that soil they get sick. This also messes up the groundwater, which makes the plants, animals and people in the area sick. Really? This is eventually what will happen. We deserve better, Jefferson City.
It all seems so harmless but it has long-term harmful effects on the community.
We do not deserve that type of deceit and harmfulness, all because someone was trying to get rid of their personal trash on their personal property, or trying to save a penny or two by not being responsible, like dumping their trash anywhere.Â
Do not let Proposition A turn Jefferson City into a harmful environmental and health issue just so someone can get away with being deceitful about the whereabouts of their trash.
Please vote no on Prop. A.