Posted by Tim Clayton, a resident of another community, on Sep 9, 2008 at 4:59 pm

The decision by the South Bayside Waste Management Authority (SBWMA) Joint Powers Authority (JPA) to recommend NorCal over Allied Waste should not be taken lightly. As the former Manager of the West Bay Sanitary District I wish to alert the more than 100,000 customers of the JPA that the determinations of the JPA are made with very little input by public officials.

Indeed it is my experience that the JPA (made up of government employees, since the JPA does not allow the placement of elected officials upon its Board) is nothing more than a self sustaining boondoggle.

If you believe that your local elected officials are aware of the ramifications of the massive contract about to be undertaken by the SBWMA, pick up your telephone and call them. You might be well surprised by the lack of understanding of the actions recommended by the Authority's Commissioners to the local jurisdictions.

Recommendations that many of the Authority's Commissioners will not be subject to themselves since they do NOT live within the Authority's jurisdiction.

The FACT is that Allied Waste, while not perfect, has at least made every attempt to provide the very best service possible, has always responded to my former customers complaints, and has made every attempt to meet or exceed the wishes of the Authority.

Let me make it clear that I "carry no torch" for Allied Waste. However after nineteen years of being intimately involved in negotiating the Franchise Agreement for Allied Waste and the West Bay Sanitary District I can assure my former customers that the transition from one service provider to another will be long and arduous, notwithstanding promises made in an initial contract negotiation.

The transfer of service from Allied Waste to NorCal would make sense if it were to provide better and cheaper service to the Authority's customers. A careful reading (assuming you have two or three weeks with nothing to do) of both proposals will show that neither will be accomplished.

Posted by Col. Korn Holia, a resident of the Portola Valley: Portola Valley Ranch neighborhood, on Sep 9, 2008 at 7:05 pm

It all smells to me.

Posted by Pepe Le Pew, a resident of the Menlo Park: Allied Arts/Stanford Park neighborhood, on Sep 10, 2008 at 11:16 am

Garbage in, garbage out.

Posted by Not Right, a resident of the Menlo Park: Central Menlo Park neighborhood, on Sep 15, 2008 at 4:22 pm

Where is the Grand Jury when you need it? It not only does not smell right, it stinks.

Posted by Reality Check, a resident of the Menlo Park: other neighborhood, on Sep 15, 2008 at 8:12 pm

Tim Clayton:

"The FACT is that Allied Waste, while not perfect, has at least made every attempt to provide the very best service possible, has always responded to my former customers complaints, and has made every attempt to meet or exceed the wishes of the Authority."

Uh, I don't think so, Mr. Clayton. There has been ongoing problems with Allied right from Day 1 and many communities have continually complained about them.

Sure sounds like you're carrying water for Allied!

Posted by Jim Elliot, a resident of the Portola Valley: Portola Valley Ranch neighborhood, on Oct 22, 2008 at 10:06 am

Good riddance....