Attend 11/14 Milpitas Council Special Meeting

Dear Concerned Residents,

We have seen how Republic Services spent more than half a million dollars to spread lies after lies to us. We have seen how they littered Calaveras and other streets in Milpitas. We have experienced their denying service to paying residents.
Today, at Milpitas City Council’s special meeting on garbage collection contract, Republic Services will want to rule our streets again for another decade with their same old trucks and same lousy service.
We are almost sure that, if given the contract, Republic Services will raise their price significantly in a couple years for no reason, just like they did in San Jose. They will surely raise it again if they will update their old trucks.
On the other hand, Garden City offers equity at the far superior SMaRT station, with 60% waste recovery rate (versus 35% at Republic Services’ recyclery, which is the biggest odor source, according to San Jose’s odor report, and where they will process our waste material if they get the contract). At a slightly higher price, Garden City will purchase new energy efficient trucks that come with more flexible robot arms and better designed loading tops that prevent spillage more efficiently.
If Garden City is selected, City of Milpitas will be able to negotiate further and try to include lower-price options. With equity at the SMaRT station, our city will have control over future price throughout the entire term of the contract.By the way, with Garden City, we can pick up free compost/mulch any time they are open.
Please attend the special meeting to ask the city council to award the contract to Garden City, TODAY.
The council meeting is scheduled at 6:30 pm. Republic Services will have people arrive at 6:00 pm. So be there early if you don’t want the chamber room filled with Republic Services.
See you there,
Milpitas REACH

CIWMP & Newby Island Landfill Expansion

Honorable Santa Clara County Recycling and Waste Reduction Commissioners, Division Staff and TAC members,

I am writing on behalf of Milpitas REACH, a grassroot movement advocating to stop Newby Island Landfill expansion for past 2 years. Over 23,000 have signed our “Stop Landfill Expansion” petition.

As you may already be aware, if the expansion is approved, Newby Island will rise to an unprecedented 245 feet above MSL, extending the life of what is already the largest landfill ever built along San Francisco Bay through 2041 in a densely populated and environmentally sensitive area with protected wildlife.

Due to recurring public nuisance and regulatory violations at the site including over 30 violations from 4 regulatory agencies in past 2 years, we feel strongly that the expansion project will be detrimental to the lives of 100,000 people who work and live in its immediate vicinity.

Unfortunately, City of San Jose Planning Staff issued a report last Friday and concluded that recurring violations are insignificant, even when 20 BAAQMD violations have not been formally resolved. The staff had recommended landfill expansion permit to be approved at the October 26 Planning Commission meeting, which I believe is irresponsible in light of open and recurring violations.

I am writing to seek your help with respect to your role in driving sustainable and responsible waste management plan for the region.

In the 4th Five-Year Review of the CIWMP, it is clearly stated that there is excess landfill capacity over what is required even without Newby Island expansion, as follows:

“Newby Island Landfill currently accepts about 60% of the County’s waste and has listed 5-7 years site life is currently undergoing a permit process for expansion. If the expansion goes through, then the site life will be extended to 20-25 years. If the expansion is denied, the calculation estimates splitting the material among the remaining two landfills within the County. The volume of material to each site would almost double their current volume which would decrease the site life by half. This reduction would be estimated at 20 some years which is greater than the 15 years for a Siting Element revision. ”

Since options are available, can you offer support by writing to San Jose Planning Staff and Commission to re-evaluate project alternatives, including tapping into regional landfill capacity and prioritizing waste diversion through non-disposal facilities, before urban landfills, such as Newby Island, are expanded any further?

Your assistance is much appreciated.

Regards
Milpitas REACH

Dear Editor Letter: Measure L introduces Big Money

Measure L introduces Big Money

Dear Editor,

Republic Services PAC money to fight against Measure L has now exceeded half a million dollars.  But despite of the big money pouring into their campaign more and more people are becoming aware of how Measure L actually does lower garbage rates with improved services.  Republic Services, also seeing this trend, in a single day in October, spent $93,000 on advertising and marketing.  A week after this, they spent $37,500 to put additional door knockers on the streets.  Initially, Republic Services had set aside $250,000.  At the time of this writing, the PAC dollars was at $600,000.

It is curious to note that while a billion-dollar company like Republic Services have deep enough pockets to fund their campaign, outside companies as far away as Stockton (Central Valley Construction) and Bakersfield (Guinn Construction) have decided to contribute to their cause.  Even former Milpitas City councilman Armando Gomez (now self-employed) decided to betray his roots and contributed $6,000 of his own money.  You can be sure that these token donations, that don’t even cover the costs of paying for surveys ($34,000), are intended to gain future business consideration.

As the election date draws near, we all are anxious to see if the outcome will be David overcoming Goliath or simply another example of corporate greed stomping on a helpless city to add another feather to their cap.

All information in this article can be verified at the following website:

http://www.ci.milpitas.ca.gov/milpitas/departments/city-clerk/campaign-committee-reports/