Huntington Park : Residents Criticize Council for 49% Trash Rate Increase

City Council members drew criticism this week for approving a 49% rate increase for Huntington Park’s commercial trash hauler.

Residents descended on the council meeting Monday night, the first session since approval of the increase in June by a 3-2 vote. One critic, Lloyd Duncan, chastised the council for failing to check on rates in neighboring cities. “We’ve done a lot of homework on this and feel you’ve made a bad decision,” he said. He said rates in neighboring cities generally are below those being charged by the Huntington Park trash hauler, H.P. Disposal. Duncan spoke on behalf of 15 residents who signed a petition last month asking the council to reverse its decision and seek competitive bids.

Mayor Thomas E. Jackson defended the increase, saying the company has been hit with increased costs at area landfills, and higher health insurance costs for company employees. Jackson joined council members Jack W. Parks and William P. Cunningham to approve the higher rate. Council members Luis Hernandez and Raul Perez opposed the increase.