The Great Petaluma Garbage Fiasco of 2005

Links to newspaper coverage, most recent first

On January 18, 2005, a narrow majority of the Petaluma City Council -- Mike O'Brien, Mike Harris, Keith Canevaro, and Karen Nau -- voted to reject the recommendation of its city manager and offer the city's garbage contract to Norcal, which had been estimated by city staff as the highest cost company, over the strenuous objections of Mayor David Glass, Councilmember Pam Torliatt, and Councilmember Mike Healy.  Here is how the local press has been covering this developing story.

• January 26, 2005 Argus-Courier article, "Garbage decision may get dumped"
• January 26, 2005 Argus-Courier sidebar, "Sobel defends Norcal work"
• January 26, 2005 Argus-Courier editorial, "Council swallowed garbage lobbyist's line"

Petaluma Tomorrow has its own history with this local political consultant.

• January 28, 2005 Press Democrat article, "Trash haulers gear up for new vote"
• January 26, 2005 Press Democrat editorial, "Trash Talk: Petaluma council has second chance to get garbage contract right"
• January 25, 2005 Press Democrat article, "Petaluma may hold new vote on trash"
• January 24, 2005 Press Democrat letter to the editor, "Garbage rates" by Mayor David Glass
• January 23, 2005 Press Democrat article, "Petaluma garbage contract protested"
• January 21, 2005 Press Democrat article, "Yikes. $34 a month for garbage pickup?"
• January 21, 2005 Press Democrat article, "City trash rate hike draws fire"
• January 19, 2005 Press Democrat article, "Petaluma garbage rates may soar"
• January 15, 2005 Press Democrat article, "Empire Waste recommended in Petaluma

Norcal has a checkered past, as seen in these regional newspaper articles and this recent AP article.  The local papers have not yet picked up on this angle, however.  

NOTE:  We include these links because we think the past business practices of the companies should be part of the debate. If there are other links that should be included about any of the companies, please forward them this site's editor.

Followup Note: We are pleased that a reader took us up on the above invitation, and submitted these links to negative information on Empire Waste Management and positive information about Norcal.  Petaluma Tomorrow has not attempted to independently verify any of this information -- use your own judgment.

Petaluma Tomorrow has not taken a position favoring any of the companies over the others. We are advocating for a transparent decision process leading to a choice in line with our mission of open government, responsible development, and sustainable watershed management.