VALDOSTA —
Residents who remained uncertain about the new county ordinance concerning trash disposal asked The Times to find answers to their many questions. These were compiled and submitted to the county, and are included on today’s front page.
In a nutshell, the recycling centers are closing, Advanced Disposal is the only waste collection company authorized to do business in unincorporated Lowndes County, and your choice is to either contract with them or not to produce any household waste. There are no other options.
Household waste cannot be burned; you cannot take it to the landfill as a private citizen; you cannot dump it illegally; and you cannot contract with another company.
Yard waste can be burned on the first and third Saturdays, with a burn permit only, you can leave it by the curb at designated times for Advanced Disposal, but for any bulk items, the company has to be contacted to remove the items as a special request.
The county has been studying and discussing this issue for the better part of a decade. There is no way to run the recycling centers on a break-even basis, they’ve been losing money for years, and in an era of austere budget cuts, the centers were the likeliest target.
It’s a shame that they are closing, and it’s a shame that the county couldn’t have kept at least one site open for yard waste and certain types of recyclables that might have had the chance to at least offset the cost to collect them, but the decision has been made and it’s time to move on.
What We Think
County explains ordinance
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THUMBS UP: To all South Georgia graduates. Congratulations on your success in completing school and best wishes on your continued success in the future.
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New era at the Boys and Girls Club
Next week on June 1, it will be the official end of an era at the Boys and Girls Club of Valdosta when Robert Soper hands over responsibility for the organization to the new Chief Professional Officer Jim Wink.
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Thank you, EMS
We always pull over for them, but we rarely seem to thank them.
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Tornado: An aftermath of help
Seeing the massive path of destruction left in the wake of tornadoes in Oklahoma Monday was a sobering reminder of the power of spring storms.
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Thoughts on graduation
Graduation ceremonies reflect how life marches on. For the students receiving their diplomas and degrees, graduation is a culmination of the majority of their lives’ work.
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THUMBS UP: To Dr. John Gaston, retiring dean of Valdosta State University’s College of the Arts. For the past 10-plus years, Gaston has worked to build a more interconnected program with various artistic and communications departments working together. Given that you are likely to see one College of the Arts department collaborating with another during events is proof of Gaston’s success.
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On the go this weekend
Take a breath.
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Sharing the roads with motorcycles
With the recent pleasant temperatures and sunny skies, the number of motorcycles on area roads has increased.
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Thank your local law enforcement today
Today, May 15, was designated Peace Officers Memorial Day back in 1962 when President John F. Kennedy was in office.
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Visit musical roots this weekend
Beginning Saturday, May 18, Nashville, Ga., will be hosting a special Smithsonian exhibit, “New Harmonies: Celebrating American Roots Music.” The exhibit will continue through the end of June and Nashville has done a tremendous job in promoting and planning for the exhibit.
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