We are in the midst of a world epidemic as the coronavirus has put the health of everyone at risk and it does not discriminate. The world is reeling and trying to react not only to save precious life but the world economy. Pick up any newspaper in the country and you will read about the virus, death, social distancing, quarantines, stay at home orders, supply shortages, job loss and recession just to name a few trends in about every article.
In March, more than 10 million Americans lost their job and applied for government aid. The Department of Labor reported that more than 6.6 million Americans applied for unemployment benefits last week alone. Minnesota logged close to a quarter million unemployment insurance applications during that same time. American history forecasters are predicting there will be as many claims in two weeks as in the first six months of the Great Recession.
Given these worldly events, the ever-present Edina City Council thinks now is the time to implement a healthier and greener future for Edina. The Council has studied the issue every six ways from Sunday even citing a study from the United Nations. I don’t know if I would be citing a source that is one of the most ineffective bodies in the world, not to mention their rampant anti-Semitism, appeasement, promotion of globalism, and countless abuses of power but that’s neither here nor there. The Edina City Council is determined to reshape the way residents think about recycling through a mandate. City bureaucrats will allow one to opt out of the program; however, you’ll still have to pay the monthly fee. Did I mention that outside of the monthly fee, you can only use bags labeled “BPI Certified Compostable” which you will have to purchase, roughly $8.00 per 30 bags.
Because this is another government forced mandate rest assured, they are going to measure progress by measuring participating rates and by measuring contamination rates. I don’t know about you, but I’m a bit worried about some city bureaucrat digging through my trash to make sure I’m not throwing baby diapers or dog waste in the organic bin.
While I’m thinking about how I will reorganize my kitchen for organics separation and while I’m trying to figure out where I will store all 4 large trash bins (regular trash, recycling, yard waste and organics) so I can avoid an eye soar for my neighbors on top of stressing out about how I am going to keep two work clients because they have been hard hit by COVID-19 and are struggling to keep their doors open, I would just ask the Edina City Council to pull their head out of the sand and take a look at reality. I hope that common sense prevails and the City Council and Mayor Hovland do the right thing by focusing on what really matters. I hope they give Edina residents who chose not to participate at this time more options. I hope they would consider postponing implementation as I question whether this is a priority at this time in our Country, State, and City. I hope they think about American families right here in Edina who are suffering and who are struggling to make ends meet, who are worrying about losing their jobs, and who are praying about the safety, health and wellbeing of their families every single day. Focus On What Matters!
Lonny Leitner
Edina, MN