Fan Mail:

Hi Bill,

I'm an avid reader, and you're column is spot-on most of the time. In regard to your Jan. 25 column, here's something for you to grade: County recycling -- a big "F."

First, a three-month transition with the haulers took over 15 months, during which we had no recycling services. 15 months! My son and I took all of our recycling to my office every week. It was a real pain, but we felt it was our responsibility. But, most of our neighbors are 65+ and I know most of them could not do the same thing.

My first question is how much recycling was dumped in landfills over this 15 month period and how far did it set us back from reaching our recycling goals? We probably don't want to know the answers.

Second, now that we have the new three trash bin service we are also supposed to have annual curbside garbage pickup (this is when you can dump all of your junk in the street and they pick it up). As you may know, these new services came with a substantial fee increase and annual curbside pickup was noted as one of the main reasons of the increase.

In 2006, we did not get this service. I started calling in Sept. and my provider, BFI, said "they are waiting on the supervisors to approve the schedule." I called again last week and was told the same thing. Does it take 13 months to figure out when to schedule the pick up and will I get two pick ups in 2007? I paid for them, and so did everyone else, so I hope I eventually get the service.

I don't know who is to blame, but relationship between residents, the county and the haulers is pathetic.

Eric