Date: Thu, 15 Jan 2009 12:14:09 -0500
From: Barbara Lorie
Subject: swap shop in recycling centers
The following is a letter I sent to named persons concerning the Swap Shop in our recycling centers. Please know that Tom Vanderbeck is our representative on the Board for this committee. Please attend the next meeting to voice your concerns if possible. Sorry to burden you with another request at this time, but time is running out. Thanks.
Barbara Lorie
9 Janury 09
John McSween, Chair
Solid Waste Advisory Committee
PO Box 1550
Pittsboro, N. C. 27312
Dear John:
It has come to my attention that the Advisory Committee passed a whole new agenda for the Swap Shops located at every recycling center. I understand that your committee objects to things being taken from the Swap Shop and sold in other areas, i. e. someone is making a profit off of Swap Shop donations. Your committee has chosen to allow people coming to the centers from having free access to items in the Swap Shop, but instead to give the PTA the right to collect everything from the Swap Shops and be resold in PTA Thrift
Stores.
I object strenuously to this idea. The original purpose of the Swap Shops was to have a collection place for items that could be recycled. I fail to understand why someone gathering items from the shops and reselling these items elsewhere is in some way a violation of the original intent. THE ITEMS ARE BEING RECYCLED.
I thoroughly disagreed with the end of the Grazing Cards. This again seems short sighted on what we are trying to do at Recycling Centers.
I unfortunately will not be able to attend your next board meeting on 4 February as well as a board meeting with the County Commissioners to verbally object to what your committee is doing.
Let’s take time to review all options here. I, for one, would like the county to be in control of who the attendants are at the centers. I feel if the centers were controlled with county employees with decent wages and benefits, the centers would be run in a much more efficient manner. I know money is tight with everyone these days. But waste management is high on the agenda throughout the world.