A new fee for everyone

The Commission took another step closer to implementing a Pay As You Throw (PAYT) program. The waste fee, not to be confused with our recyclables, would be charged to all residents in Mt. Lebanon and promotes a unit-based pricing approach to solid waste management. For example, if you throw away a bag a week, you would be charged less than your neighbor who tosses ten bags a week.

I spoke against this new fee at last night's commission meeting. After watching this presentation during the discussion session, I thought that it would:

• Boost hoarding
• Provide us with an incentive to dump our garbage in with our recyclables
• Charge us with another fee
• Start illegal dumping of garbage in public places
• Make it more difficult for those who rely on wheeling their garbage to the curb

This opens up a can of worms for me. Why will we paying for stormwater fees, block parties, and garbage collection, when we have a commissioner who wants to use our tax dollars to kill deer? Why not make that "Pay as We Kill?" Why should my tax dollars pay for something that I am opposed to in Mt. Lebanon? Are we going to have "Pay as We Plow?" How about "Pay as We Collect Your Leaves?" Will they charge admission for July 4 fireworks? What about "Pay as We Turf?"