County long ago ignored its opportunity to start a recycling program

Editor:

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Let me see if I have the facts in this June 13 editorial ("Recycling plans just a little too late"). Columbia County is paying a consultant for creative ideas on how to use the now full landfill. This is too much! And it shouldn't be "Whoops; too late," but "Whoops; too stupid."

A few years back when it was almost too late (10 or 12 years), the idea of recycling was put before a committee on Waste Management. These people were well-educated and working in waste management from all over the CSRA living in Columbia County. They were told if they would get involved something would be done and someone would listen. Well, we all volunteered, got involved and came up with some great ideas to help with the "trash" problem. We also got nothing in return except another hole in the ground now full with a consultant thinking over it. By the way; who is the consultant?

Recycling is not new, just ignored. Recycling was an alternative offered to the landfill's former director, Tom Bartles, in a state mandate to cut the landfill intake by 25 percent. He told everyone during that Waste Management meeting that recycling was not cost-effective and nothing was done about recycling or anything else. So, now the landfill is full and there is not one in Columbia County. But there are many holes filled with trash and covered over and called full. Trash is not new to Columbia County, nor is the inability to handle it.

The commissioners need to listen to the committee findings. They might get some answers to questions and not have to hire consultants. Committees are formed to no advantage or use. And the commissioners wonder why a lack of interest from the residents except on their taxes. I would like to consult on this and a few other concerns in the county.

Judie Kremin , Appling