Up for a vote is Arlington's wheeled-cart program. Currently we have bins but we could make the switch to larger, wheeled-carts if Council votes in support of the resolution.
There is a chance that it could be defeated. Opponents to the Recycling program are organizing to oppose the resolution because they think it is a U.N. conspiracy called Agenda 21(Not a joke! They really do believe that). We hear that the opposition leader, Buddy Saunders of Lone Star Comics, is the same guy who led the charge against the Hike & Bike Plan a year ago, and more recently, water conservation measures for 2x a week watering.
Before he was against it, Buddy Saunders supported the survey results:
Overall in favor of carts: 84% strongly agree, 14% somewhat agree
In a previous email, we said the recycling pilot program and survey both seemed fair and well-crafted. With that in mind, we believe the results clearly show not just a preference for the wheeled carts, but rather an overwhelming preference. What we have here is a clearly demonstrated will of the people. And that is exactly what we want to see more often in this city.
From e-mail dated June 4thBuddy Saunders, Subject: Recycling Pilot Program Survey Results!
But now he's advertising for a group called Arlington Conservative neighbors and they're trying to get people all riled up with revisionist history and anti-federal government rhetoric
Most of the council members refuse to answer e-mails and are simply deferring questions to the Recycling Coordinator (propagandist). When we do get a response, it is just a fluffy comment that “everyone” wants these new bins.
From e-mail dated August 3rdBuddy Saunders, Subject: Join Citizens of Arlington in Kick-the-Cart Meeting
Actually, as you can see above, 84% of those surveyed like the bins. Did you really just call the recycling coordinator a propagandist? She's going off of the survey results. Check them here.
The City Council attempted to vote the recycle carts through LAST YEAR in the fall, but citizens rose up and overwhelmingly spoke out against the plan.
From e-mail dated August 3rdBuddy Saunders, Subject: Join Citizens of Arlington in Kick-the-Cart Meeting
Actually, you can see the video here. It's the same people that hate on anything that will mean positive change for Arlington. Those that spoke against it could be counted on one hand. And some of the arguments were vindictive:
If this comes to Arlington our family will stop recycling.
But this kind of "cut off your nose to spite your face" rhetoric is not really new to Arlington. The Concerned Arlington Taxpayers of the 90's and early 2000's have just changed names, but they sing the same tune: They're angry and don't want anything to happen in Arlington without their say-so.
Wheeled recycling carts (?)
YOU can help buck this trend of anti-everything.
Show up and voice your support for Wheeled-carts. The Council meeting is
Tuesday, August 7th at 6:30pm
City Hall Council Chambers - 101 W. Abram St.
Wear something Green!
There will be cards you can fill out to speak before Council. Speeches count, but if you don't feel comfortable publicly speaking, you can still fill out a support card.
To drive the point home to Council members beforehand, please write an e-mail with your support. Points to include could be:
- Wheeled carts are easier to move when full
- They have more capacity for larger families
- They are neater on windy days / rainy days
- Recycling is the right thing to do!
jimmy.bennett@arlingtontx.gov;
sheri.capehart@arlingtontx.gov;
robert.cluck@arlingtontx.gov;
michael.glaspie@arlingtontx.gov ;
charlie.parker@arlingtontx.gov;
robert.rivera@arlingtontx.gov;
robert.shepard@arlingtontx.gov;
kathryn.wilemon@arlingtontx.gov ;
lana.wolff@arlingtontx.gov
Subject: I SUPPORT cart recycling!
