I find it very wrong that people who are opposing the current garbage rates are throwing around made up numbers like they are facts.  The facts are:  

1.  Just because Schererville was able to get a certain rate doesn't mean Lowell could get that same rate.  The transfer station for the garbage is in Schererville which saves garbage company time and money.  Additionally, they are over three times as large as Lowell.  The companies know they can drop the price for larger communities and still make the profits that are needed.  They can not do this for Lowell.   Lowell would be required to pay more due to its size and simple mathematics.  So when the opponents say, "$2 times 3,500 homes times 12 months times 3 years equals blah, blah, blah", they are using faulty math to rile up the masses.  

2.  Locking in current rates (or in this case, last years rate) for three years isn't really a bad thing.  Yes, it is a gamble, but most things in life are.  When you refinance your mortgage and lock in an interest rate, you are betting that you will be saving money in the long run because the rates may go up.  Same thing with phone service, satellite tv, and most everything in the world.  Yes, the services you use may go down in price, but really, when does that ever happen?  Usually things go up in price;  that is just the world we live in.  So, the town council locked in a rate that will not go up for three years.  I am guessing if most of you were faced with the same question in your own lives (i.e...  Locking in your cell phone bill for 3 years) you would seriously give it some consideration.  Because, really, when has your cell phone service dropped in price recently?   

3.  Republic Waste is a Lowell company.  Many Lowellians shout from the rooftops, "Shop Lowell First!!!"  Now, some company dangles a dollar bill in front of you saying, "I got you a dollar" and you want to run off with a company who, as far as I know, only has one client and whose address is a PO Box in Crown Point. 

Everyone needs to relax and stop throwing baseless accusations because you have watched a few too many episodes of Law and Order.  Trust that our representatives know what they are doing.  Attend meetings and learn what is going on in your town.  But, don't let a small handful of disgruntled people give you one side of the story and assume it is Gospel.  

#5: Guest - My two cents

I think we need to see what's out there, we don't know because it hasn't been out for bid in 8+ years. Just like my phone and tv service I shop around for the best deal when my contract is up I usually fine a better deal. The reason I shop around is because after that contract expires my price goes up.  If not shopping in Lowell gives me more bang for my buck then unfortunately I need to go with whoever can get me the same product at a better deal. Every penny counts when your raising a family.   Let's be honest picking up garbage no matter what company you use you are still just getting a truck in front of your house dumping your trash.  Maybe with a new company I'll get less of the trash blowing around my street after they dump my can.  If after it's been sent out for bid and Republic gives us the best rate that's great! I don't care who does it.  Then we went about it the right way. what can it hurt? 

#5: Guest - My two cents 

 They're not made up numbers that have been offered as example of what Lowell could save. They are in one case numbers and prices from a company that would love to bid if allowed. Fact- There are 3400 paying residents in Lowell. Fact- There could be a savings by accepting such an offer. Fact- If that savings is $2.00 a mo. per household times three years it's a LOT of money. The issue here is not who picks up your garbage. Fact- Republic could be allowed to bid right along with anyone else. In Schererville Republic retained the contract they tried to extend and did it by dropping their own rate by over a buck and a half. The issue here is Lowell Town Coucil wont even try to see if Republic or Any Service can Save us money. That's the Issue Mr. Parker.