|
|
Welcome to the new home of Lee's Summit Tribune. We are dedicated to providing you the most current and accurate news and events in Lee's Summit
 | |  |
|
Something doesn't smell right
October 29, 2011
Ramsey Fowler
I’m happy to announce the drama concerning Lee’s Summit forcing a single trash company is now at a standstill.
“The RFP process is stopped at this time, but the original goal of promoting recycling is still alive,” said Dave Mosby, council member.
This whole fiasco began when our local government decided they wanted to encourage recycling in our community. This simple good intention grew into a monster. It’s one thing to educate and promote something as beneficial as recycling and another to force a monopoly on it.
Creating a “walkable” city was a plan of action for our community. We all know that daily exercise is vital in promoting a healthy lifestyle. When the city widened the sidewalks on Longview road, the number of walkers, runners and cyclists increased dramatically. This is a perfect example of “encouraging” the public. The city didn’t mandate each citizen to buy the same walking shoes and clock the same weekly mileage.
We currently have two landfills that are not user friendly. I encourage you to go to the website LSlandfill.net and select the household hazardous waste schedule then click on appointment information. You will find this exercise amusing. It lists the various items they accept along with a strict limited schedule of when you are allowed to dispose of them. They allow some items on the first Saturday of the month and other items on the third Wednesday of the month unless these days fall on a holiday. If it’s a holiday you have to wait until the next go around. If you are lucky and your schedule coincides with the limited two days a month, please remember you can’t just show up. You have to have an appointment. They encourage you to schedule this appointment six to eight weeks in advance. And I thought waiting in line at Chipotle was a pain!
Our recycling system leaves a lot to be desired. I think we all agree there needs to be changes. Why wouldn’t the city council simply consider improving upon what we have? Why can’t they accept all items on all days, extend the hours of operation and print a huge sign that says, “No appointment needed?” This would definitely encourage our citizens to participate in responsible disposal.
What happened instead was a frightening scenario. Five of the eight council members forgot the foundation this great nation was built upon ... democracy. This party of five had the majority vote and proceeded to ignore hundreds of their constituents. These citizens were gravely concerned when they realized their freedom of choice might soon be taken away. Many of their phone calls and emails were discounted.
These citizens were also worried about the demise of free enterprise. Why would anyone limit the free market? We can see how having choices ultimately benefits us all. Competition often breeds better options. I do believe Wendy’s was the first to offer a 99 cents menu. To stay competitive, McDonald’s and Taco Bell soon followed suit.
Haven’t we all shopped for a better price?
We have witnessed five of our local elected officials trying to eliminate our right to choose by shoving a single, mandated trash service down our throats. The local or federal government should not mandate and pick winners and losers in business. This sort of action should alarm all citizens, Republican and Democrat.
Abraham Lincoln put it best when he stated “Democracy is a government of the people, by the people and for the people.” As far as I’m concerned five of our elected council members (the not-so-fabulous five) forgot the simple principle of democracy when they proceeded down this dark path. These elected officials obviously believed they knew what was best for 94,000 Lee’s Summit residents. Are you as scared as I am?
Thank goodness for those I like to call, “The Three Musketeers.” These fine politicians – Bob Johnson, Joseph Spallo and Dave Mosby – did not abandon their posts. They stood strong and listened to those who elected them. These patriots remembered that America is first and foremost a democracy which is built upon free enterprise, competition and our basic right to choose.
I urge all citizens of Lee’s Summit who are against government restricting our choices to send emails to the not so fabulous five and remind them that limiting our options will not be tolerated. It’s also very important that our elected officials know when we appreciate their stance. The three Musketeers deserve our admiration and praise.
Is this issue finally over?
The three musketeers who now serve on our council will ultimately have to dismantle. Spallo’s and Johnson’s terms are up in April 2012 and Mosby will be up for reelection in 2014.
This trashy situation has been a learning experience for us all. We must do our homework when electing or reelecting our city council members. These positions are obviously important in shaping our city.
A final thanks to “Super” Council “Man” Mosby for motioning to discontinue this ridiculous RFP process. You, along with Spallo and straight shooter Johnson are true heroes. I can’t wait until April 2012. I would be honored to help with Mr. Johnson’s campaign, and nothing would make me happier then seeing two of the musketeers staying on for another term.
It is extremely important to elect or reelect true supporters of democracy. Hopefully our two musketeers will add to their posse, defeat the not-so-fabulous five and save this town from any future “mandated” monsters that raise their ugly heads.
Ramsey Fowler is a senior at Lee’s Summit West High School. Write to him at government@lstribune.net.
| |
 | |  |
| | |
|
Other Recent Articles from the Opinion Category:
| |
| | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Nixon Leads Roundtable at MCC-Longview
|
|
|
