Beware Bidding Plan for Trash Collector

In recent weeks I have been reading that Browing Ferris Industries (BFI) would like the city of Moorpark to open negotiations for trash hauling to all comers. Translated, that means the BFI wants the opportunity to come in and underbid our local companies and take over.

On the surface that sounds good. It would cost us less money for or trash collection, but what would happen in the long run? A contract of this kind is often signed for several years, long enough so that by the of a contract with BFI, all our local haulers will have been driven out of business. Then what will our bargaining postion be when the contract renewal comes due? We will be stuck with whatever BFI wants to charge because there no longer will be any competition.

Our local trash haulers are based here, so they are responsible to local needs. BFI is headquartered in Texas. Just how prompt do you expect any response to problems or questions to be as the years pass and you are speaking to a telephone receptionist who ahs to check with Texas before answering your concerns?

I urge the Moorpark City Council to make every effort to retain our local haulers and our local haulers to make every effort to provide Moorpark with an equitable, workable bid for services.

LYNNE B. OWENS Moorpark