Garbage collection service operations in Jackson are set to “cease” indefinitely in two days after the New Orleans, La.-based Richard’s Disposal announced this afternoon that it is suspending garbage pickup in Mississippi’s capital city starting Saturday.
The company began operation in the city April 1, 2022, amidst legal wrangling between Jackson Mayor Chokwe A. Lumumba and the Jackson City Council on the appropriateness of a one-year emergency garbage disposal contract the mayor signed with the company beginning April 1, 2022.
The City has not compensated the company for its operations after the City Council declined to pay for its services. Some council members argue that the contract was invalid since they never approved it.
In a Thursday afternoon press release announcing the company’s decision to end garbage pickup operations, the City of Jackson said the move was because the company has operated for six months “under an emergency contract and without compensation.”
“The announcement affects approximately 150,000 residential customers as well as municipal court and other municipal buildings around the city that are being serviced with roll off containers,” the City’s press release continues.
Working Together Jackson announced a meeting tomorrow “to collaborate on our next steps to avoid another great health crisis after Saturday, ” the organization wrote in an email to members this morning after a conversation with the owner of Richard’s Disposal, Alvin Richard.
“He informed us that he has not been paid for 6 months and that the Council has refused to reach a reasonable agreement with him regarding the Emergency Contract,” the organization wrote.
In the city’s press release, Lumumba said he “would like to thank Richard’s Disposal, their 70 local employees, and Mr. Alvin Richard for their dedicated service over the past six months.”
“The citizens of Jackson have paid and continue to pay for the solid waste collection, and they have received the services, but due to inaction by the Jackson City Council, my administration is legally unable to pay Richard’s for services rendered,” he added. “My thoughts and prayers are with the 70 local employees and their families who are facing unemployment as we approach
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