I'm curious. Why do they need a meeting to tell citizens about a new free service, curbside recycling? Is this just PR?

I wanted to touch base on this new recycling opportunity for the City. We are currently holding four public Recycling Update meetings with the first being held last night in my "neck of the woods" at Dogwood Elem. Three additional meetings are scheduled for next week as listed below:

7 p.m., March 28, at the Fountain City Lions Club (Fountain City Park)
7 p.m., March 29, at Arnstein Jewish Community Center (6800 Deane Hill)
5:30 p.m., March 31, at the Burlington Library (4614 Asheville Highway)

As was stated in a previous comment, there are a number of details surrounding our proposed program and this is indeed an opportunity to inform folks about the specifics of the proposed new service. Additionally, the purpose of these meetings is to provide an update on the status of this four year long project and to seek feedback from the community on the plan. We expect this initial new household curbside recycling program will roll out on a sign-up basis for the first 20,000 residents with current City garbage service.

We are interested in hearing from citizens about their thoughts on recycling, our plans and to let them ask us questions. This gives us the chance to incorporate suggestions, address concerns and see if there are details we have not covered that our residents want to know. We expect to be able to provide more details in the coming months as our plans are finalized.

As the guy responsible for the Public Service Department, there is also an opportunity after the recycling update meeting to talk with customers about all of the other services we provide - i.e. brush/leaf collection, park/greenway maintenance, etc.

Thanks and please feel free to send comments to me via e-mail.

David Brace
City Public Service Department