Those in Cordova claim that trash collection delays have worsened in recent weeks.
MEMPHIS, Tennessee – The bad blood between the city of Memphis and Waste Pro continues, and thousands of people the company serves in Cordova and certain parts of East Memphis and Hickory Hill are stuck in the middle.
It comes when several residents filed a lawsuit against the city of Memphis this week.
“It was really, really horrible,” said Cordova’s Barbara Nowlin.
“It’s been inconsistent for months,” added Cordova’s Craig Mullen.
These are the complaints of people living in Cordova who deal with stacked trash pondering the delayed garbage collection by the Waste Pro company that the City of Memphis hired to handle the waste disposal of thousands of people in Region E.
“We can send a rover to Mars, but we can’t have our rubbish picked up on a weekly basis,” said Mullen. “It just doesn’t make sense.”
Last week, after two members of Memphis City Council moved to terminate its contract with Waste Pro, the company responded that it wanted to end its contract with the city.
Last Friday, Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland said in part, “I take full responsibility. The lack of service is totally unacceptable. I want you to know that we are actively working to find a long-term solution.”
“We’re at the point now – I don’t care whose fault it is, just fix it,” said Mullen.
The trash drama continued on Wednesday when several Cordova residents sued the City of Memphis and MLGW in a class action lawsuit.
It is about nearly $ 39 million in damages, which the complaint claims are overpaid garbage disposal fees based on timely estimates for collection. The lawsuit also alleges that those who live and work in the coverage area did not receive the services they paid for.
“It’s really a health risk, not just that it’s unsightly and unkempt,” said Patti Possel, one of the plaintiffs in the lawsuit.
“It really hurts my heart to drive through Cordova and see the chaos that is out there,” said Possel.
A Waste Pro spokesperson declined to further comment via email Friday afternoon, and Memphis City communications officials did not respond to an email looking for an updated comment.
On Thursday, Waste Pro said the city turned down a garbage collection request on Good Friday, a public holiday.
We apologize for the late solid waste service provided by our contractor to some residents in Cordova, Hickory Hill and parts of East Memphis. The City of Memphis is actively working to find a long-term solution to this unacceptable service. In order to reduce some of the backlog last weekend and in the next few weeks, we have […]
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