It appears trash brings out trash.
With an upcoming question on the Nov. 5 ballot regarding how trash collection will be handled in St. Paul looming, residents have been weighing in on the question in a multitude of ways. Many have reached out to their city council representatives, others to the mayor. In those communications at least two were so troubling law enforcement had to be notified.
St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter – the city’s first Black mayor – has received both a threatening phone call and threatening letter, each with racist epithets indicating the mayor is unsafe if St. Paul residents vote to put trash collection under the city’s control. Previously, property owners could choose their own collection service or none at all. That changed last year, and the city contracted with several companies, which were assigned by geographic territory. The ballot question asks to keep the new system in place or not. Regardless, it is believed the city must still honor the $27 million contract with the haulers.
And while the two threats in question deal with the issue of trash, officials in the mayor’s office say threats to the mayor are nothing new.
“While the two police reports over the past week relate to the garbage lawsuit, it is not uncommon for the Mayor’s Office to receive calls or letters that are reported to law enforcement,” said Peter Leggett, communications director for the St. Paul Mayor’s Office. “While we don’t publicize our office’s security measures, we take all threats seriously and are diligent in our steps to ensure the safety of the mayor and our staff.”
Carter, like most mayors, travels with police security.
If residents vote “Yes” on the ballot question there will be an increase to property taxes, but proponents say it is a necessary cost to protect the environment and residents’ health, noting there was no regulation prior as to how property owners chose to dispose of their garbage. A majority of St. Paul City Council members are in favor of city-controlled collection.
