By DON FLETCHER
News Staff Writer
Atmore officials and the official in charge of Waste Pro’s privatized solid waste collection operations within the city said during the Monday, July 8, city council meeting that despite a few bumps along the way, the first day of collection within the city went smoothly.
Chris Walker, the city’s economic planner, said he had received several calls during the day, most of them from residents who complained they had no cart in which to place their garbage.
“There were some glitches, some problems with the carts and a few other issues,” Walker said. “Hopefully all those problems will be ironed out in the next few days.”
Scott Jordan, director of Waste Pro’s Atmore operation, told a crowd of about 20 that the relatively minor logistics problems that cropped up during the company’s first collection day could be, and would be, easily resolved.
“We did have about 20 or so houses that didn’t receive their cart,” he said. “We’ve had somebody out there today delivering those carts. There’s always going to be a few glitches when you’re starting a new program, but we completed our Monday route around 2:30 this afternoon.”
The meeting crowd was larger than usual, and a group of irate residents were expected to speak out about the service problems, but nobody had any comment when the opportunity arose.
In other business conducted Monday, council members:
*Adopted a resolution that will renew the city’s agreement with WALA-Fox 10 television station for advertising segments for July through December.
WALA’s Danielle Dials told the council the station had gotten solid and positive feedback on the initial segment, which was broadcast several months ago, and Mayor Jim Staff said the city had gotten a similar reaction.
“We’ve had nothing but positive responses from the other one,” Staff said, recommending that council members spring for another round of 30-second commercials — and an onsite broadcast — that WALA’s Danielle Dials said are designed to “keep the city of Atmore in the spotlight.”
The cost will be the same as for the first round ($25,000), but Dials said Round 2 will focus on the holiday season, including segments on the lighting of the city Christmas tree, the annual Celebrity Waiter fundraiser, the Twilight Christmas Parade and other holiday happenings in the community.
*Approved an amended request by Angela Rivas, owner of Acapulco Mexican Restaurant, to close the portion of Church Street between Roberts and Presley streets for this Saturday’s (July 13) outdoor concert by Triston Harper, the 15-year-old McIntosh resident who finished among the top 5 on the recent edition of American Idol.