Petitions supporting a special election over trash service in Fresno were dropped off and filed at City Hall Friday.
Boxes full of signed petitions are stacked at Fresno city hall.
The goal is to force the city to hold a special election on a plan to privatize residential trash service.
“We are here so proud to deliver just under 40-thousand signatures,” said Union Rep Marina Magdelano.
40,000 signatures... roughly double the amount needed for a special election...signed, sealed, delivered.
Union rep Marina Magdelano led city trash truck drivers all the way to the ballot box.
“It's been emotional. It's been a lot of stress. Family wise. Work wise but we got through it,” said Longtime City Trash Hauler Joe Garcia.
They've been collecting signatures for about a month, backed by Former City Councilmember Les Kimber.
“Thank you residential Fresno for sending a message to city hall that you can't balance the budget by dismantling a city department,” Kimber said.
The city’s message hit the airwaves after the petition drive...
The city says the private trash company set to take over...Mid Valley Disposal... will prevent a fiscal emergency, save city jobs, and lower costs for consumers..
“If this were to go to ballot, we end up having a delay in the day that we receive revenues so we lose about $200,000 per month,” said City Manager Mark Scott.
The city says a delay in the franchise fees will result in employee layoffs.
And a special election could cost the city up to $1,000,000.
At a time when the city is facing a $5,000,000.
Trash workers say outsourcing will result in...
Well - at this point in the battle...not even the union reps want to get into it.
“Today we're not talking about the bad stuff. Today is the day to rejoice,” said Magdelano.
