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Nazareth, Pa., United States

Monday, November 26, 2012

Should Bethlehem Go With a Single Trash Hauler?

Is Bethlehem City Council President Eric Evans "dumb"? That's what blogger Jonathan Geeting, from his roost somewhere in NYC, has clucked. Why? Because Evans thinks that, notwithstanding a recent survey, Bethlehemites may very well be opposed to Mayor John Callahan's proposal to replace 19 private trash haulers with just one. How can Evans be so foolish? Doesn't he know that surveys are sacrosanct?

Regardless of the merits of this proposal, Bethlehem's City Council president likely has a better feel for his constituency than some snotnose based in New York City. Geeting's shrill name-calling is no way to win an argument, although it does give me an excuse to call him a snotnose.

In an excellent Morning Call article, reporter Nicole Radzievich makes it pretty clear that the notion of a single trash hauler in Bethlehem is very controversial. I've seen it myself.

But is it the right thing for Bethlehem?

Tonight, Bethlehem's DCED Director, Joe Kelly, will make the case for a single hauler at West Bethlehem's monthly Block Watch meeting. It's at the Church of the Manger, located at 1401 Greenview Drive. It starts at 7 PM.

Although my ass is still sore from the lightning bolts that went up it the last time I was in a church, I'll be there, and will try to give you the pros and cons without calling Eric Evans dumb.

19 comments:

Mark Baker said...

I have studied this issue at great length as it affects me. I asked for the facts and were given them. Taking the emotion out of this matter, it makes great sense for the residents and the city.

I am sure this matter will cause many questions and hopefully sensible debate. I would hope my fellow citizens would keep an open mind.

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Jon Geeting said...

Polling a larger sample of residents gives you a more accurate look at what people are thinking about this issue than polling the small number of people Evans says he hears from at meetings. Evans should take a remedial statistics course to find out why a big sample trumps a small sample.

Jon Geeting said...

It's just like when a political reporter goes to the Target parking lot to interview 10 voters and draw conclusions about how competitive some politician is in the state. That kind of story is useless compared to looking at polls.

For the same reason, if most people who go to city council meetings are opposed to single hauler, that tells us nothing about what most residents care about. It only tells us what a few activists care about.

Anonymous said...

Put it on the ballot and let the voters decide...

Anonymous said...

Evans is from from Dumb..He is right..Bethlehem residents have always been strongly opposed to a single hauler. Anyone who does a survey knows it can easily be set up to elicit the response you want.
I believe , however, that callahan doesnt expect to win this fight..When he loses the battle, he'll just turn around to council and then say, " OK, you find me the revenue to balance the budget then." It should be interesting..
Anyone running again this year for Council would be crazy to get rid of private haulers, unless they are politically naive..So in this instance, it's Geeting who is being dumb..

Anonymous said...

Evans is far from dumb, lol..Still cant type and think at same time,lol..

Anonymous said...

This is perhaps just another Callahan move to screw the City taxpayers since He will be gone next year what does He or His wannabes care.....as a City trash hauler I think We have been doing a fantastic job at providing the residents of this great City with outstanding service and they the people of the City have the right to chose.....BUT that is what the callahan cronies want to take away the right to choose.......

Anonymous said...

Sorry, but I can no longer count on this site for any kind of open, honest diologue.

Anonymous said...

If I'm Callahan, I'd put the question on the ballot.

The City should make its case but leave it up to the voters.

Anonymous said...

"shrill name-calling"

A bit of hyperbole coming from the Valley's master of shrill name-calling.

Single hauler in Bethlehem Township too, please.

Anonymous said...

Put it on the ballot and let the voters decide...

Simple enough, right? Give this person a prize.

Bernie O'Hare said...

7:19, Sign your name to an attack like that.

Bernie O'Hare said...

"Evans should take a remedial statistics course ...:

You should take a human being course.

Anonymous said...

If I were a single hauler, I wouldn't be worried about callahan's proposal..Council isn't that dumb..Four of them are up for reelection and they'll never be crazy enough to approve a single hauler system.

Anonymous said...

If most of the people would prefer the single hauler, why should they be worried.

"Look folks, HE voted to lower our costs for trash service!"

Anonymous said...

One party rule = you already voted for this. Stop complaining until you try a little political variety. Baaaaaa.

Paul Kersey said...

You only hear from the minority who oppose a single hauler system. Most people could care less if it saves them a few bucks. The City uses a single hauler for recycling and there is no public outcry over that.

Anonymous said...

Wow, I love the Callahan clan folks preternding to be other than Kelly and Barron coming on here claiming bullshit. The people of Bethlehem love hiring their own haulers and do not weant a single hauler to fleece them forever.

Stop the bullshit