Judge defends suspension of solid-waste pickup during winter storm, offers limited credit option

The presiding judge defended the court's decision to suspend solid-waste pickup during hazardous winter conditions, saying the move was meant to protect county employees and to preserve eligibility for state and federal disaster reimbursement.

"We're still under a state of emergency that I have declared, that the governor declared," the judge said, adding that declarations must be signed before damage occurs to qualify for reimbursement. He described hazards faced by solid-waste crews working on ice- and snow-covered roads, including frozen garbage and the risk of workers falling from trucks.

Addressing online critics, the judge said critics who demand credits can haul their own waste to the county landfill at Ford Mountain and present a receipt; the county will issue a $6.12 credit if residents provide proof. "If you really want a credit...you haul your own garbage to the landfill...and we'll give you a $6.12 credit for this one," he said.

The judge also offered an unorthodox suggestion that residents who complain about missed pickups could work a temporary shift as a loader to experience conditions firsthand. The court did not establish a formal policy change in the meeting; these remarks were explanatory and managerial in tone.