First of all, you should know that you are not alone. There are a lot of
places in this country where the same thing is happening as in Virginia,
albeit not on the scale that you are dealing with.
We in Michigan are getting socked with out of state garbage from all sides.
What particularly galls people here is the garbage we are getting from
Canada. One landfill here alone receives all of Toronto's garbage,
approximately 40 semi-truckloads per day!
One thing that we did was go to Toronto and raise hell. It did draw a lot
of media attention and it was a lot of fun. We got an Elvis impersonator
and rewrote the song "Return to Sender". The looks we got from people on
the streets of Toronto were priceless. It ultimately didn't change things
but it educated a lot of people and was somewhat cathartic for those of us
who were starting to burn out.
Can you imagine a few hundred people on the steps of New York City Hall
being led by Elvis Presley all singing:
Return to sender
Address unknown
Don't want your trash here
So keep it at home.
With some advance work, you could probably get a lot of media coverage.
Obviously, getting media coverage and raising hell is only part of the work.
We need to have new legislation if things are going to change. I know the
congressional reps in Michigan are interested. I have heard that there is a
lot of interest in Pennsylvania as well. Virginia reps, to some extent
could be counted on, right? Isn't Blighly (sp) from Virginia? He has been
a major road block to legislation. I have heard that he receives a lot of
waste management PAC money. Sounds like he is someone you should be going
after in a big way.
Just some rambling thoughts from a VERY SYMPATHETIC Michigan activist...
Jeff Surfus
NO WASTE of Michigan
(Network Of Waste Activists Stopping Trash Exports)
-----Original Message-----
From: Fritz R. Franke <frf5k@virginia.edu>
To: greenyes@ucsd.edu <greenyes@ucsd.edu>
Date: Wednesday, January 20, 1999 6:35 PM
Subject: [GRRN] NYC trash from a Virginian's view
>To all,
>I am a native Virginian and still reside here. I am appalled at what is now
>happening here with trash from NYC. I have spoken to as many government
>councils and 'the powers that be' about this. Everyone listens and is
>concerned, but don't seem to have a workable plan. I agree with Gary. PR
>seems to be the only thing that is going to focus this problem right in the
>public's eye.
>
>I am on the BOD of the Virginia Recycling Association and this seems like
an
>opportunity for our organization and other organizations to join together
to
>find solutions for Virginia before it happens to someone else. We meet 2/9.
>Any input and/or ideas I can take to the meeting would be greatly
>appreciated. Thanks.
>Fritz Franke
>
>
>
>