MOUNT VERNON — Tim Carper, representing his mother, Frieda Walker, owner of Walker’s Disposal, met with the Knox County Commissioners Monday morning to discuss taking over the Knox County Recycling Center.
Simms Brothers is running the center for the county and the contract is scheduled to expire next year. Simms has indicated a desire to get out of the recycling business in Knox County and did not want to renew the contract. They would cease their operation of the center at the end of April 2011.
The commissioners had previously held talks with Rumpke, a waste management company, on the same matter.
Carper told the commissioners his interest rests primarily in keeping Walkers Disposal in operation and giving him a place to take his recycling. He expressed interest in purchasing a two-acre plat next to the recycling center to build a transfer station. This plan is similar to that proposed by Rumpke which also approached the commissioners about the center.
One of the main differences between the proposals presented by Rumpke and Walkers is that Carper is prepared to run the center for the county. Rumpke had proposed to buy the land, building and operation and let the county get out of the recycling business.
Carper did tell the commissioners he was willing to talk more with the county about buying the recycling center and running it himself.
One issue touched on by Commissioner Allen Stockberger was the AlleyCats.
“Rumpke said they wanted to do away with the AlleyCats and put in their own frontloader containers,” Stockberger said. “We would like to see the AlleyCats kept, at least for the time being.”
Stockberger added he felt the AlleyCats were more user friendly and that encouraged county residents to use them and recycle.
Carper indicated he would favor the continued use of the Alley-Cats and did not envision making very many day-to-day changes in operations.
The commissioners said they will consider any proposals brought forth for the recycling center. No time frame was given as to when a decision will be made.
