Folks, Fall River is having some trash issues, the question is when is it too soon to discuss it? Apparently the majority of the city council felt Tuesday's meeting was too soon. The Council refused to even allow two resolutions concerning the DPW to be read aloud!
The council felt that the day after the funeral of DPW worker John Carvalho was too soon, and blasted the councilor who introduced those resolutions, Steve Camara for showing such poor taste.
When I read this in the Herald News I was a surprised. Certainly the council needs to show some sensitivity with the recent passing of John Carvalho, but to not even allow these resolutions to be read? What in the world was Steve Camara proposing?
Well someone forwarded me a copy of the two resolutions that Councilor Camara proposed, and honestly both are pretty tame and respectful. Without using all the flowery language, one simply called for the Committee on Public Works and Transportation to meet with the City Administration and the Department of Public Works to figure out where the problems are and what can be done to get them back on track. The second resolution focuses on reviewing and improving safety for DPW employees.
What was so inappropriate? There is some suggestion that Councilor Camara was seizing the opportunity for political gain. Steve is a pretty smart politician and I wouldn't doubt for a second that considered how this might play into his run for mayor. But, if we dismiss any action taken by a councilor who is running for office, well then we might as well tell all of them to just go home for the summer.
We have a trash problem in Fall River! Our DPW workers are trying to make do with less. The reality is services have been cut and they are still having trouble keeping up with the demand that has been placed upon them. And now, we have lost a DPW worker in a tragic accident. It would seem that NOW is the perfect time to discuss what can be done and what is needed to improve the efficiency and safety of the DPW.