Giving credit where credit is due

During the election season, it is not uncommon for campaign rhetoric to fail to give credit where credit is due. In this case, State Representative Aldo Vagnozzi deserves recognition.

For much of his time in Lansing, Vagnozzi has focused on trash. While many citizens thought rising unemployment, stagnant home values, and the overall economic troubles of this state were critical issues, Vagnozzi expended his energy on stopping the importation of Canadian garbage. His efforts were rewarded when Toronto announced last month the city will not renew its contract with the Carleton Farms landfill in Sumpter Township.

Unfortunately while Vagnozzi celebrates, the residents of Sumpter wonder how they will replace the loss of royalties it collects from the landfill. Currently, the landfill contributes $2 million to $3 million of the township’s $4.5 million budget and Canadian trash accounts for 70 percent of the landfill’s business.

Garbage is not an attractive industry. However, when the state’s economy is buried at the bottom of the heap should our elected officials really be focused on eliminating profitable businesses? If you were a representative wouldn’t you want credit for attracting business rather than driving it away?

[Letter to the Editor - Farmington Observer. Published 10/12/2006.]