Tuesday, February 17, 2009

Caligiuri wants trash haulers licensed

From the NHRs Luther Turmelle:

State Sen. Sam Caligiuri, R-Waterbury, is backing legislation that would require trash haulers in the state to be licensed by and under the oversight of the state Department of Consumer Protection.

Caligiuri, whose 16th District includes Cheshire, Southington, Waterbury and Wolcott, last week testified before the legislature’s General Law committee regarding Senate Bill 324, which he introduced this session. Caligiuri backed a similar piece of legislation last year.

“We need this bill in order to protect the public and consumers from the small minority of haulers who engage in illegal practices,” Caligiuri said. “These practices are anti-competitive, which ultimately hurts consumers.”

An example of the practices Caligiuri refers to are schemes to prevent competition and inflate prices that were uncovered and resulted in 29 federal indictments in June 2006.


I'm normally opposed to the state requiring a license for every little thing, but in this case... at least for some time, say ten years, I think this makes sense.

Also worth noting is that while Senator Caligiuri is fighting for good government, he likely faces real serious pushback. Not to be forgotten, in June 2007 the Courant described the problem this way:

Sen. DeLuca: James Galante's man in the legislature.

Someone needs to tackle this. I'm proud that Senator Caligiuri is tackling this and trying to rebuild the public's confidence.

Tim White

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

Tim, you dont want to license the massuse's but the garbage haulers are ok? Which service do you use more?

Anonymous said...

You sure seem to care a lot about garbage, Mr. DeVylder. You are also adept at shoveling it. Perhaps you should get a job on one of the trucks at AJ's, since you seem to prefer that company, and do it professionally with your hands rather than your mouth and pen.

You have made some great and insightful comments on the issue herein that are helpful to those wrestling with the issue; you sell yourself short with the garbage.

Anonymous said...

In NYC to become a licensed trash hauler you need to file your request with the NYC Police Department. An in dept background check is done and after about a mere three year wait you may be approved.

What's the big deal about going through a background check and keeping the vocation squeaky clean here in Connecticut?

MJR

Anonymous said...

Requiring a license in this state is a joke. How many times do you hear on the news that an unlicensed driver killed someone? All a license is is a tax. I personally hold many licenses in this state (not just a drivers license) and all I have to do is make sure I pay the state yearly. They never check up on anyone. When was the last time you had to retake your driving test to renew your license? On a good day, you are in and out of the DMV in about 30 minutes. I can go to Hartford and renew everything but my drivers license in less than that. They never check. So, all Caliguri wants is their money so they can haul trash or rub your back. Licenses do not keep you honest, F&S was licensed too.

Anonymous said...

Requiring a license in this state is a joke. How many times do you hear on the news that an unlicensed driver killed someone? All a license is is a tax. I personally hold many licenses in this state (not just a drivers license) and all I have to do is make sure I pay the state yearly. They never check up on anyone. When was the last time you had to retake your driving test to renew your license? On a good day, you are in and out of the DMV in about 30 minutes. I can go to Hartford and renew everything but my drivers license in less than that. They never check. So, all Caliguri wants is their money so they can haul trash or rub your back. Licenses do not keep you honest, F&S was licensed too.

Anonymous said...

Mr. DeVylder, I would like you to come clean with your relationship with AJ's.
We know there is more to the attacks against Tim then you being a concerned citizen.
Why not enlighten everyone on why you are so against Tim and will defend AJ's, no matter how much evidence is stacked against them.
You need to understand that AJ's took advantage of every citizen in this town when they chose to take part in the price fixing scam. He may have been forced but when you are in a business like that, you will be dealing with shady characters.
So, come clean and explain!

Anonymous said...

You want me to come clean? O.K. here you go... I know AJ and Bonnie through mutual friends. Before you get the wrong idea, I know them through town business owners, residents and town employees. AJ Waste is a local business that gave us the best price for the services rendered. As I believe the Town Manager and Town Council stated, there have been next to no complaints on their service. For those of you that have moved to town in the last few years, you probably do not remember seeing all of the skid marks in front of every house from the last company sending 1 driver alone on his route. The town roads looked like pit road at Daytona.

AJ Waste and the Wallinger family have been in town longer than most residents. They handled the town trash when the town population was half what it is now.

AJ Waste and the Wallinger family also give alot to this community. Ever go to the Memorial Day parade and see a group of kids riding on the back of one of one of their trucks? They always take a truck off it's route for the annual Touch-a-Truck during April vacation. They sponsor little league teams and Relay for Life. They donate money to the Republican Party.

You said "...but when you are in a business like that, you will be dealing with shady characters." You are proving my original point that you will deal with people in the same spot as AJ regardless who we contract with.

I guess my feeling is that if this company wants to do business with the town, and they offered a concession right off the bat, how bad can they be? They saved the town $200,000 the first year they held the contract. (See pricing located in this blog) Rigged or not, how can anyone complain about saving that much money?

My problem with Tim is that he couldn't think for himself. If his excuse was anything other than "...a formers owners legal problems was one of the reasons he voted against the waiver" than I probably would have never said a word. That is thick headed thinking. Today, one has nothing to do with the other. FORMER means just that.. former, as in "previous", "not current" and "was". Should I question Tim's judgement because his father is a UFO and spaceman expert? NO, they are not related. Also, how hard did Tim try to have a meeting? As a member of a 3 person committee, it should not have been too hard to make 2 phone calls and remind the others that the contract was going to expire. If the excuse, "thats not my/his job" comes up, than he is nothing but a hinderance to the committee, council and town. Like I said before, I am a republican, but I agree with the democrats that in this economic climate, we should have taken the offer before the town manager has to submit his budget. Cheshire has a real problem with screwing up numbers after the project/contract begins (i.e. town pool) and most of the problem is our leaders voting on party lines other than what they think is right. When the town needs more money for trash hauling, what department is going to suffer? Good job making someones job harder!!

Any more questions?