LETTERS: Trash-hauling contracts have foul smell

To the editor:

The Review-Journal continues to publish inaccuracies about how Republic Services’ “new and improved” recycling will be good for us here in Las Vegas (“Republic breaks ground on new facility,” Nov. 7). The article states that the new recycling center will create 20 new jobs. What it omits is the large net job losses over time. It states that customers will no longer need to sort recyclables into bins. This hasn’t been a requirement for nearly a decade.

The new trash-hauling contracts smell bad. Anyone can see that what Republic Services gets is the ability to dramatically increase profit, while customers get a trash container for a big reduction in service. I have not seen one independent study that says this is a good deal for us. Here is what Republic has proposed: Significantly reducing the number of trash-hauling trips (26 fewer) it makes past your home every year, while likely replacing their old trucks with more efficient ones over time. This eliminates several hundred workers without adding to Republic’s cost.

While some increase in recycling will likely occur, Republic saves on fuel, vehicle mileage, maintenance and labor costs, yet we the people just get trashed. So why won’t our local elected officials negotiate a better deal? With a long-term trash-hauling contract in place, they still have the upper hand.

Because Republic has contributed nearly $300,000 to the campaign coffers of local and state politicians, including Las Vegas City Council members, we might conclude that the city of Las Vegas garbage contract might be preordained. Even a dimwit can see that if the goal is to increase recycling, it is not necessary to give major trash-hauling concessions to Republic. We could easily demand more. Recyclables make money.

We should demand to keep our current service schedule and have Republic replace its bins with a container. Is this too much to ask when we cede a great long-term contract to a sole source contractor? I think not.

RICHARD RYCHTARIK

LAS VEGAS

Voter ID solution

To the editor:

Enough of this absurdity that requiring voter identification is intended to prevent citizens from voting. What is so wrong with ensuring the integrity of our election process? With the midterm elections over, there should be a massive effort by all 50 states to begin a voter photo ID registration.

This can be accomplished using the same method used for early voting. People go to grocery stores, churches, hospitals, shopping malls, motor vehicle departments and state agencies for public assistance, such as welfare, food stamps, etc. Just provide a weekly schedule at various locations to accomplish voter ID registration, as well. There would be no excuse for not obtaining a photo ID.

Most citizens already carry some sort of photo ID, so the cost of providing the remainder of citizens with free IDs would not be great. Surely the states can find the funds to see this through. This would eliminate most of the fraudulent voting.

Let’s put this argument to rest and remove the Democrats’ claim that it’s an attempt to inhibit the voting process. To continue to not address this issue just fuels the fire of accusations of discrimination. If this proposal appears to be too cumbersome, we could always utilize the purple finger stain used in Iraq’s election process.

LARRY LEWANDOWSKI

HENDERSON

Ball in Sandoval’s court

To the editor:

I watched the majority in the Nevada Senate change last week. Then I watched Republicans running for state constitutional offices run the table. But I was astonished by the reversal in the Nevada Assembly, from a Republican deficit to an overwhelming Republican majority.

Gov. Brian Sandoval, I hope you were paying attention. Republicans are in control. Your constituents gave you a mandate to make some critical course corrections. The model that comes to mind is that of Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker. Go for it, Gov. Sandoval. We’ll support you.

ROBERT R. KESSLER

LAS VEGAS

Reid misreads public

To the editor:

Sen. Harry Reid’s comment that Democratic midterm losses show voters want the parties to work together proves just how out of touch he has been, or that he simply didn’t care what the majority of the public wanted. Polls have shown for a long time how disenchanted the public has been over Congress’ inability to compromise and get the economy moving. I only hope the Republicans don’t make the same mistake, as 2016 isn’t that far away.

BILL L. WILSON

HENDERSON