company ultimatum

By BETH LAKEY

Staff Writer

Sept. 25, 2000 10 PM

Problems with Mark Dunning Industries of Dothan, which picks up the garbage for county customers, led to a heated debate Monday night at the Pike County Board of Commissioners meeting.

Sam Green, solid waste officer for the county, publicly posed some questions to Don Clark of MDI regarding the curbside pick up service.

MDI recently sent notices to garbage customers about new policies that brought some concern to commissioners and Green.

Green said trash is being left behind on the routes. He showed some flattened cardboard boxes that were left behind because they were next to the garbage containers.

"We get paid to dump those containers," Clark said, adding the company would not continue to pick up any bags or boxes left beside the containers.

Clark said changes in the service are because MDI is losing money. He said, in August, the company lost $7,000 in Pike County.

"I can’t pick up extra garbage," Clark said.

Commissioners have been receiving complaints and Charlie Harris more or less gave Clark and ultimatum.

"You either pick it up or I, for one, will vote your contract out of this county," Harris told Clark.

The issue of back door pickup for the elderly and disabled was settled and that service will continue just as it has in the past.

In other business, the commission:

· Approved a $11.6 million budget for the 2000-2001 fiscal year. Commissioner Karen Berry cast the only dissenting vote.

· Set Nov. 17 as moving day for the courthouse. The Pike County Courthouse, which is being relocated to the former Wal-Mart building in the Troy Marketplace shopping center, will be open for business on Nov. 21.

· Voted to retain Montgomery Security Service Inc. for courthouse security.

· Appropriated $1,000 to the Pike County Firefighters Association for the purchase of a fire safety house.

· Approved contracts with Edge Regional Medical Center and PhyAmerica Physicians Management Agency for inmate medical services.

· Voted to take bids on the courthouse telephone system. The county is currently paying about $2,000 per month for 40 lines.