The citizens of Oakland were at odds during the monthly meeting held on Monday, July 12, 2021. The meeting was over the voting of poly carts. Even though the poly carts had previously been voted in by the council, they opened the floor to resident comments. The council members were not counting on the argument that ensued.
Stephanie Doyal, Sam Dishman, Rhonda Whitsett and Bobby Pierce were all present at the Monday city council meeting. Mayor John Moss was not as he was running late.
The meeting began civil and quiet. However, as the meeting progressed, the council reached the hot button topic of the poly carts. Several residents argued that the poly carts were a bad idea because they could get knocked over easily. With many residents being disabled, it would be difficult for them to pick up everything that fell out or even drag it to the road.
A S.O.R.D. representative reassured the residents that if they had a doctor’s note that they would walk to the house and get the poly cart themselves. However, that did not cover the "what if" for the poly carts getting knocked over.
Some residents were in favor of the poly carts, saying how the dumpsters were a health hazard and unsanitary. One gentleman even said how he had to keep picking up from around a dumpster where furniture was being dumped from people moving out of the apartments.
The argument went on, reaching a fevered pitch. The attendees were voicing their approvals or denials, and no one, not even the council, could agree.
The argument for those in agreement of poly carts boils down to people who use the dumpsters without permission. The claim is that people from Madill are dumping in the Oakland dumpsters without receiving any repercussions.
The opposing argument for the poly carts were that the dumpsters were a health hazard, is unsanitary, and an eyesore.
Teresa Walsh operates a foodbank and said she prefers a dumpster to a poly cart. She needs a dumpster in order to get rid of what she needs to and to keep the animals and dogs out.
"If I have a poly cart, it's so lightweight it can be knocked over," she said.
Another resident made the point that he would have to have several poly carts since he runs a business from home. He questioned if the water bill would increase. He said he prefers the dumpster for his family and business.
The average water bill for Oakland is $35, and the price of a poly cart is $75. The city will be purchase one poly cart per family. If the family needs to purchase another, the extra amount will be added to the bill. The monthly upkeep amount has yet to be determined.
One resident commented that poly carts can be purchased at Lowe’s. However, S.O.R.D. will not empty those. A S.O.R.D. representative informed the council and residents that the switch to poly carts will be final. There is no switching back to dumpsters.
Many residents questioned why a notification for the meeting was not on the water bill before the vote. They also voiced their anger about the council voting the poly carts in without allowing them to voice their feelings on the matter. The council informed the residents that the meeing was only on the agenda for feedback.
The vote did not pass unanimously by the council, it was even two to two. Mayor Moss would have been the deciding vote, but he was late and was not a part of the quorum.
A little research found that if a mayor is absent or late to a meeting, the Mayor Pro Tem would step up.
Whitsett said she would research into the law and see what their next step will be. As of now, it seems a new meeting seems on the horizon for Oakland residents. Hopefully, it will be a little calmer.