My family has recycled for 25 years. Recently, a mandatory — no, you aren’t forced to recycle, but yes, you pay for the service — recycling program was initiated in unincorporated St. Louis County.

Each household was provided a recycling bin paid for with funds from landfill tipping fees, not taxpayer dollars. I support the program, but not the way it was implemented.

Citizens’ concerns were not given enough consideration, and the one official who worked against the bill as written — 6th District County Councilman John Campisi, R-south county — was largely ignored.

Our family, along with my daughter’s graduating class, recently celebrated two parties at Bee Tree Park. I was quite shocked that the only available refuse containers were trash cans.

If St. Louis County has deemed landfill space limited enough to initiate a countywide recycling program for residents, why would county parks be exempt? St. Louis County parks are not being held to the same high standard as the citizens of unincorporated St. Louis County.

How much recyclable materials are sent to landfills from St. Louis County Parks each week? How many households that do not recycle would it take to equal this amount?

In early May, the County Council denied a bill introduced by Mr. Campisi that would have stopped the establishment of trash districts in unincorporated areas of St. Louis County. Again, on the surface, the establishment of trash districts seems a good idea.

However, if done without proper consideration of citizens’ and the business community’s concerns or in a manner that appears to violate existing laws, is this truly government of the people, by the people and for the people?

Please keep us informed of the costs to taxpayers for St. Louis County to defend current and future lawsuits over the matter of trash districts.

Kathy Powers

Oakville