Trash is fertilizer for Newark government

If one were studying the methods by which government fertilizes itself to greater power, scope, wealth, and economic influence - while becoming ever-more intrusive on private lives and business decisions - he would be fortunate to be a citizen of Newark Ohio in 2008.

Just now our city government is attempting to carve a new dimension for itself in the matter of private businesses serving private citizens. It is attempting to set itself up as ruling authority in the business of trash collection.

The irony of this is that almost exactly two years ago citizens told Newark government to butt out of the trash collection business.

Ah. But this is not the style of Mayor Diebold, his administrative minions, nor of Council's good ol' boys, of whom Irene Kennedy is the queen.

On April 29, 2008 the Advocate headline on this subject read: "Task force to consider putting trash pickup under Newark control," with Kathleen Barch hinting that trash bills would be halved, and the mayor suggesting that such a plan "might reduce the deterioration of the city streets."

In spite of the wonderfulness of this proposal as presented by the Advocate, lots of on-line readers thought otherwise. Such reaction should be enough to end any discussion, even if were only the comment by "paul" who said, in part, "Without exception when competition is removed or governmentally controlled, price fixing, gouging and general rate abuse is imminent." If you don't think he's right, just consider cable TV and how its evolved under its city contracts.

Mayor Diebold has - even as a councilman - been a major inspiration for my use of the term "Magic Nanny" in reference to how government perceives itself. So now it seems pertinent to review how the proposal of city assuming trash-hauling contracts went two years ago. Because Mayor Diebold knows this and yet has the incredible gall to try it again with total disregard for the way citizens feel about it.

First, here's what I wrote April 28, 2006:

Go away, little trash haulers
Magic Nanny's solution to bad streets: Don't use them

The Newark service director's willingness to reduce the number of trash trucks doing business here is another knee-jerk solution to a non-problem. It is a proposal to create more power and control by government at the expense of small businesses and consumers.

Tim Weisert, service director, is offering a plan to allow only certain trash trucks to use Newark's streets and alleys - to be guided and organized by the wisdom of the Magic Nanny. A Gannett report said he has had "numerous complaints" from residents about too many trucks that tear up streets and alleys.

Weisert's plan would divide the city into quadrants and "bid it out." Thus would the Magic Nanny put the smaller haulers out of business and create yet another non-competitive gift for some Nanny-preferred business under government supervision and control. Though Gannett reports that "the bidding process could lower the cost of trash service," we have only to look at what has for years been taking place - and still is taking place - with cable TV rates in Newark to see the folly of that suggestion.

The "numerous complaints" rationale is what the Magic Nanny drug out during the smoking ban debate. I didn't believe the legitimacy of it then and I don't believe it now. If Weisert is in fact getting "numerous complaints" he should keep a good record of them, with names and dates, because he might get asked to prove this claim. But let's say he gets five calls a week and let's say the population of Newark is 47,000. That would make 46,995 people who didn't call each week.

The service department's job is to fix the streets and alleys if they are indeed being damaged. It's more in line with what they know how to do than it is to improve upon a free market.

Then on May 10, 2006 I wrote:

Poop hitting the fan over trash-hauler balloon

In today's Gannett report, there is an essay by Newark Mayor Bruce Bain designed to douse the controversy about the proposal to eliminate haulers of trash save for one or a few companies selected by the Magic Nanny. That idea was discussed at this Tea Party on April 28th.

The mayor says that there was no trash-hauling proposal put before the city service committee and "not even a suggestion offered for the formation of any type of trash-hauling legislation."

However the mayor chooses to split hairs today, there certainly was a proposal being discussed in a public meeting by Newark Service Director Tim Weisert for new trash-hauling legislation to limit the number of haulers. In fact, Gannett headlined its report "City may toss extra trash trucks - Council may take away choice of provider from residents" and in the second paragraph said: "City council members will consider such a proposals (sic) in the next several months."

If that report of April 26 was not accurate the mayor should have been splitting his hairs back then. Well, it took a bit of time for the poop to really hit the fan and so here it is, May 10th before we get the mayor's verson of the truth in this matter.

Maybe we'll just call it back-pedaling: "In my opinion, there is nothing so bad or dangerous that people can't debate or discuss a topic. Through broad conversations, we are able to see pros and cons of various issues. Because something is talked about doesn't make that something a formal proposal or legislation."

Why couldn't he just admit it was a dumb idea and be done with it?

And in spite of all that, the Magic Nanny rides again. Building greater government power, scope, wealth, and economic influence - while becoming ever-more intrusive on private lives and business decisions is just too great a temptation for Diebold and some of the good ol' boys.