For immediate release
Sept. 23, 2011
Contact: Susan Duerksen, 619-584-5744 x64 or 619-804-1950

Community to City Council: Just say No

Coalition will urge Council Monday to keep Miramar Landfill public

Community groups will be out in force Monday to tell the San Diego City Council to keep Miramar Landfill under public control.

“It’s becoming clearer all the time that contracting out the landfill is a bad idea,” said Clare Crawford, CPI Executive Director. “There are just too many risks for taxpayers, our environment and the services every household and business relies on.”

The Council is scheduled to vote at 2 p.m. Monday on moving forward with Mayor Sanders’ proposal to put the landfill operations up for bidding by private companies.

A large coalition of community and environmental groups is urging the Council to just say no. About 100 city residents – from gardeners to clergy – crowded the last committee meeting to support keeping the landfill public.

In studying the issue for more than a year, CPI has determined the risks far exceed potential gains from putting the landfill through the Mayor’s “managed competition” program.

The city cannot escape legal and financial liability for contractor malfeasance or negligence, which could mean lawsuits or fines from numerous regulatory agencies. The need for strong oversight of private contractors and subcontractors adds to taxpayers’ long-term costs.

The already costly outsourcing process could continue for many more months, although an Environmental Impact Review hasn’t yet been done and the owner of the land, the Navy, hasn’t approved the plan.

A CPI op-ed this week noted that the City business office’s track record on setting up relatively simple contracts increases doubts about contracting out the complex landfill.

For interviews or further information, please contact Susan Duerksen, Susan@onlineCPI.org or 619-584-5744 x.64.