My LTE in the VDT Thursday.
I’ve added links to some of my inspirations. -jsq

Local leaders worked hard to get the

Valdosta Metropolitan Statistical Area declared.
Why now are they acting like a Ludowici
speed trap for local businesses?

The Lowndes County Commission shouldn’t act like a private business
trying to exclude anybody it doesn’t like. State law says local
governments are supposed to have open bids and public hearings. A
promise (in the VDT) in

March 2013 of a non-exclusive contract for
trash collection turned into

exclusive in October; at least two of
the five bidders are now the same company; and the county

is suing


a

local business to the profit of

a company owned by investors in New York City.
Meanwhile,

no public accounting has ever been seen of the

former waste collection sites and

no public hearing was held before
they closed, despite state law.

Business exists to make a profit. Government exists to provide
public services like law enforcement, water, sewers, roads, and yes,
trash collection. Sure, balanced books are good. But money isn’t the
main point of government: providing what the people need is, and

the people didn’t ask the county to exchange the waste collection
centers for lower prices

that won’t last.

Businesses (except monopolies)
have to Continue reading →