City Fields Garbage Complaints

By David Wiwchar PORT ALBERNI — City council continues to be flooded with letters, e-mails and phone calls from people upset about the switch to bi-weekly garbage pickup.

Mayor Ken McRae said Port Alberni needs to be more like European cities, which recycle everything and no longer need landfills.

City manager Ken Watson said the city and taxpayers are seeing savings though the plan, which used to cost homeowners $115 a year, and now costs only $66.

Coun. Hira Chopra said he is reminding people that the idea for biweekly garbage pick-up came from the public during budget consultation sessions last year.

“Things can be changed at budget time,” he said, “but no promises”.

The upcoming budget hearings happen this fall.