Rehashing Recycling Contract

* The Times rightfully recognizes that the investigation of Orange’s recycling contract needs to come to its conclusion (editorial, Nov. 14). I heartily concur. I think it’s important, though, to remind Orange residents and our neighbors where we stand today.

Remember that the Orange Police Department started the investigation of Orange Resource Recovery Systems in April. In August, the Orange County district attorney took the entire investigation over from the department. Our three investigators still on the case are now part of the district attorney’s team. Because the district attorney is heading the investigation, the city has no control over the investigation’s schedule.

Regarding our trash contracts, I’d note that this past July the City Council denied a request by Orange Disposal Service to add a year to its contract; the contract now expires in two years. At the same time, we repealed an “evergreen” clause in the Orange Resource Recovery Systems contract to stop that contract’s automatic renewal.

We can immediately terminate one or both contracts if we find that officials of either company broke the law, but we won’t know if laws were broken until we see the results of the district attorney’s investigation.

Residents’ trash and recyclables continue to be collected on schedule and at one of the lowest rates in the county. City staff deserve credit for meeting this key operational goal throughout the course of the investigation.

JOANNE COONTZ

Mayor of Orange