Editor:

Fairhope is looking for ways to cut expenses without reducing services to residents. This is becoming even more necessary because of increased fuel costs. Here is an obvious way of taking a step in that direction.

About two or three years ago, after considerable study by city staff and the Recycling Board, it was decided to go from twice per week to once per week garbage collection. This was to be accomplished by:

• Purchase of state-of-the-art automated garbage trucks that lift and tip containers into the trucks.

• Supplying all citizens with large containers that can be handled by the automated trucks.

These two steps were to result in once per week collection as well as fewer back injuries for garbage handlers. Expensive trucks were purchased and containers were supplied to all. But somehow the change to once per week collection never happened. One can speculate that the political-powers-that-be did not want to take a chance that a few people might object to this change, especially before an election.

It is a shame that, after having spent the money for trucks and containers, the city did not make the change to once per week collection some time ago. As it is, we have trucks making an extra round, burning fuel and using staff time that could be usefully employed elsewhere. If the city is serious about reducing expenses and living within its means, this is a step that can be taken immediately.

Fairhope