Asking for Recycling in Crozet – again

I know I’m not the only one in Crozet who recycles.

I know I’m not the only one who schleps a vanload of stuff to the McIntire Recycling Center each week (trying desperately to avoid Saturdays!).

And I know I’m not the only one in Crozet who wants a recycling center right here in Crozet.

The number one reason I want it, frankly, is to make my own life easier.  But I feel strongly that more convenience would lead to more recycling by other people who need it to be more convenient, and so I see a benefit for the planet, too.

If you want a recycling center in Crozet, now is the time to be loud.  Make yourself heard.

At the CCA meeting on Thursday, March 8, I was hoping the room would be packed with folks wanting to hear about recycling from Michael Freitas, the Chief of Public Works for the County.  Only one person that I emailed showed up.  She had emailed her entire neighborhood–225 families–and no one showed up.  Maybe we don’t really want it in Crozet?

If you want a recycling center in Crozet and missed that meeting, know this:  there is $250,000 in the Capital Improvement Fund set aside for recycling in Albemarle County.  The money is already there.  It’s for recycling.  The County has a plan for 3 recycling centers in the County. Now the County just needs to decide where to spend that money. I don’t know what it will take to convince them that Crozet is the place, but we can start by letting them know the demand is here.

I admit: I thought I had already done this.  I’ve emailed Mr. Freitas and asked all my Crozet friends to email him, as well.  But the demand still is not clear, I guess, or the County would know what to do with the money.

I am getting the feeling that the County needs something they cannot ignore.  Please call.  Please email. Direct your voice to Michael Freitas, Chief of Public Works for the County  (401 McIntire Rd Rm 224, Charlottesville, VA  22902-4579 ; 434- 296-5816.  Please flood the County with the word that Crozet wants the money to be spent on a recycling center right here.  Ask what we can do to convince them. I’ve asked, and I haven’t gotten any answer.  Join me–make it impossible to be ignored.

From an email from Mr. Freitas:

There is currently $250K designated in the CIP for FY2008 (1 Jul 07 – 30 June 08) for the construction of recycling centers that would be located at various locations in the County (Crozet being one of the areas being considered).  The CIP also identifies additional funding for follow on years.  However, those funds would still need to be appropriated by the Board of Supervisors for each budget year before they can be obligated.  As I mentioned during my talk on 8 March, during the current budget process the Board will be deciding if any initiative will have to be dropped from the proposed budget based on revenue projections for the upcoming year.  In essence, based on other priorities, funding for the recycling centers, or other budget initiatives, could possibly be postponed if there are not revenues to support it.  As a resident of the White Hall District, you should contact your District’s representative to the Board of Supervisors (Mr. David Wyant) to express your interest in this, or other budget items.  With regard to location, specific sites for the centers have not been determined at this time.

Editor’s note: Thanks to Katrien Vance for the above article. As a Realtor, I can attest to the fact that more and more of my clients in the Crozet (and in the region) are asking for recycling services. Having recycling services that are readily accessible may increase property values. If the money is there, why not Crozet?

You may find your voice more efficiently expressed by emailing David Wyant, our Supervisor and Ann Mallek, who is running for the seat currently held by Mr. Wyant. Ultimately, County staff abide by the policies set by the Supervisors. Until the Supervisors set the policy, Staff’s hands are somewhat tied.

From Albemarle County’s proposed budget (PDF):

B. Recycling Centers:  This project requests funds to construct recycling centers throughout the County.  These centers will serve County residents and private haulers who choose to deliver recyclable materials including plastic, aluminum/steel, and paper.  Areas that are being considered for recycling centers include Crozet, Scottsville, the Pantops area, and the Northern areas of the County.

There is a budget work session tomorrow, 14 March at 1pm at the Lane Auditorium and two more after that:

Budget Work Session #1 – March 12, 2007 – Lane Auditorium – 1:00 p.m.
Budget Work Session #2 – March 14, 2007 – Lane Auditorium – 1:00 p.m.
Budget Work Session #3 – March 19, 2007 – Room 235 – 1:00 p.m.
Budget Work Session #4 – March 21, 2007 – Lane Auditorium – 1:00 p.m.

What would the recycling center look like? Where would it go? Where would the funding for annual servicing come from?

In short, if you don’t speak up, you won’t be heard. If you don’t speak up, you don’t have any business complaining.

More on recycling can be found at the HooK.

Technorati Tags: crozet, recycling