Postell Loses His Cool

Tommy Postell has never really struck me as “cool under fire”.  Just reading the minutes of the City Commission can fill you with a sense that he definitely needs to lean over to Mayor Adams and as for a prescription for something to calm him down.  However, when the Albany Herald writes about it, well…we’re on to something good.

For those who may not know what I’m talking about, I’m referring to Commissioner Postell’s comments during the City Commission meeting after learning about the proposed rate hike at the County landfill.  Courtesy of the Albany Herald:

“Just to come in here and say, ‘We’re going up and you’re going up with us’ isn’t going to happen,” Commissioner Tommy Postell said.

and

“I’m going to tell my constituents that this all the county’s doings,” Postell said. “That they are ramming this down our throats.”

Way to lay down the law Commissioner Postell. Oh yeah, except for one little thing.  It is going to happen apparently should the County approve raising the dump fee.

Apparently, the County landfill is entirely funded by dump fees based on a per ton rate.  According to the Herald’s article, that fee has remained pretty constant over the last 15 years, and while the 37% increase sounds like a lot, it only goes from $25 to $34 per ton.

Here’s the thing that Commission Postell seems to miss.  He’s got no say in this at all.  The landfill is the County’s to do with as they wish.  The only say Commissioner Postell has is the same as…oh, I don’t know…yours or mine?  Yep, that sounds about right.

And just think Mr. Postell.  If we consolidated with the County, and you won your seat again, you would have that say you seem to think you’re entitled to.  Maybe you should remember that instead of labeling it a racist move, don’t you think?

On the flip side, Commissioner Bob Langstaff took a much cooler head into the situation.  He proposed something so radical, I like it a lot.  He suggested shopping around to other landfills and looking for the best deal.  Holy Cow.  An elected official that really seems to get it.  That’s right boys and girls, a real life free market approach in the Good Life City.

What makes Commissioner Langstaff’s proposal so damn likable to me is that it’s not combative, and I suspect the trash will still end up in the Dougherty County landfill.  But if that does actually happen that way, it’ll be because it is indeed in the City’s best interest to dump their trash there rather than it’s just convenient.  By forcing the landfill to compete with other landfills in the area, it will ultimately make it better.

All to often, the city looks for the easiest answer.  But when dealing with our tax dollars, I want the best approach…which, quite frankly, is usually the cheapest.  Commissioner Langstaff?  Thanks for looking out for us on this one.