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Trash Haulers Difficult For Commissioners To Ignore

MICHAEL SPOONEYBARGER / The Tampa Tribune

From left, Edwin Sepulveda, Barbara Davis and Jason Slocum put signs on trucks as supporters gather at the County Center in Tampa to protest Hillsborough County Ordinance 96-34, which outlines who is able to haul trash in the county. About 25 to 30 trucks were parked around the County Center. The public hearing starts at 3 p.m.

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By Anthony McCartney | The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 7, 2007

Updated: 11/07/2007 02:46 pm

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TAMPA - The horns bellow inside the Hillsborough County Commission chambers.

Outside, trucks driven by smaller independent trash haulers periodically circle the building, honking their horns as they drive by the chambers.

Their presence is being heard.

County Administrator Pat Bean, in the middle of a presentation, loses her train of thought as the horns reach a louder pitch.

Commissioners began a public hearing at 3 p.m. By noon, however, hauling firm employees were packing the commission's chambers.

Most of those in the audience are wearing yellow shirts that read, "We live and work here, too."

They work for the three franchise haulers, Waste Management, Waste Services and Republic Services. Their presence is meant to show that the three companies employ hundreds of local residents who would be impacted if changes to the trash ordinance are not made.

It would be impossible for Commissioners to ignore the issue.

Parked outside the county's downtown skyscraper this morning were numerous large debris-hauling trucks, many with signs on the side.

All urge commissioners to reject changes to Ordinance 96-34, which governs who can haul trash in Hillsborough.

"NO to TRASHOPOLOY" one reads, with a Monopoly game board. Others show images of the county commissioners. The largest truck – easily visible from the commission dais, reads, "Vote No on Ordinance 96-34; Keep American Free Enterprise Alive."

Someone delivered devil masks to commissioners' chambers this afternoon, implying that the contract with the three large haulers was a "deal with the devil."

There are at least a dozen large trucks visible from the commission's second-floor chambers. Demonstrations are planned throughout the day to protest the proposed changes, which many independent haulers say would put them out of business in Hillsborough.

County officials say the changes are needed to preserve a contract with three "franchise" haulers who have exclusive rights to haul residential and commercial waste in Hillsborough. The contract provides county residents with some of the lowest pickup rates in the state. In exchange, the companies, Waste Management, Waste Services, Inc. and Republic Services, are supposed to have exclusive domain over collecting commercial and residential construction debris.

The right to haul residential construction debris has been challenged in court, and a judge ruled the county doesn't have the authority to enforce its exclusivity agreement.

The franchise haulers warn that if commissioners don't approve the changes, their contract will be breached.

It is widely expected that whichever side loses today will sue the county over its decision.

The small haulers have promised a show of force today, and this morning's displays show they intend to deliver.

"Today may be a difficult day," Commissioner Brian Blair said in an opening prayer, before requesting some divine wisdom.

The trash haulers, for their part, won't be leaving empty-handed. Tampa police, who are also out in force this morning, have attached $30 tickets to each of the trucks for having too large a vehicle parked on the street.

Reporter Anthony McCartney can be reached at (813) 259-7616 or amccartney@tampatrib.com.

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