Options on Solid Waste

The Waste Management Inc. improprieties in San Jose come as no surprise to those of us who have kept a close watch on the string of fines WMI has paid in recent years for environmental violations, bribery and price-fixing. Their actions have made clear the need to find effective, realistic options for solid waste management that do not involve private sector ownership.

Oxnard has been the dumping ground for western Ventura County for too long. It’s time to look toward an environmentally sustainable future through energetic recycling programs and the early closure of landfills such as Bailard.

Some say that we can’t close Bailard Landfill without another site such as Weldon Canyon available to us. My position has always been that we need to close Bailard Landfill and take a leadership role in bringing a recycling center to our city to lessen the waste stream.

I am a strong advocate for the recycling project and landfill closure, without relying on WMI, because I know that environmental protection controls and fiscal accountability are more important than quick-fix solutions.

DOROTHY MARON, Councilwoman, City of Oxnard