Single hauler

Spoke in favor of the single hauler ordinance and the city's contract, noting Best Way holds single-hauler contracts in about five other cities, and asked whether the contract would hold if challenged.

Argued three 'lies' were being told: disputed survey framing, said Take Back the Trash is funded by Best Way and the Balkema family with over $20,000 in campaign donations, and said the movement is about money, not choice.

Said Waste Management lacks BBB accreditation, raised surcharge and pricing concerns, said Best Way lets her pay yearly, and noted 70% of Portage residents use Best Way.

Opposed the city's choice of hauler, said she wants Best Way and local service, and said she collected petition signatures for a vote.

Responded to the earlier speaker, saying the core issue for him and his neighbors is not the carrier but that residents were not given a choice.

Took an impromptu poll of the audience on the hauler issue, voiced concerns for residents who don't use computers, and said her family won't go with the current plan.

Asked what criteria were used to select Waste Management, citing its poor online reviews and lack of BBB accreditation versus Best Way's A-plus rating.

Said she was insulted by the 'manipulation' accusation, denied Best Way acted improperly, and called the ordinance a slippery slope of control.

Asked what the next step is now that signatures are verified; the mayor said action was coming later in the meeting under regular business.

Supported single hauler and price transparency, and strongly advocated putting the question on the May ballot so all residents can decide after experiencing the new service.

Urged the council to let everyone vote, speaking as a young parent, and raised frustrations about snow removal versus trash truck concerns.

Supported single hauler as a settled, fiscally responsible decision, called on petitioners to withdraw the petition, and criticized Best Way's response to losing the bid.

Defended the Balkema family against earlier attacks, noting they won 70% of local business competitively and contrasting Waste Management's ownership.

Argued truck weight concerns are overstated, said local firms can't compete with public companies, noted Balkema's broader public works role, and supported a public vote.

An 80-year Portage resident who said he refuses to have no choice in waste hauler and supports a vote by the people.

Said his trash bill tripled to $190.50 a quarter and that the roughly $14-a-month tax-funded single hauler rate sounds appealing.