Saturday, January 2, 2010

Garbage more or less

It would be hard for me to believe that I’m the only resident confused by the Town of Clarksvilles’ holiday work schedule. The town has many tools to notify the public, if they choose to use them at their disposal in order to inform citizens on what services to expect and when to expect them, such as garbage pick-up. The most logical way is on their own website. When I inquired about my garbage pick-up I was told that the newspaper was incorrect, and that the town asked for a correction. That’s great, except it’s a weekly paper so maybe it will be in next week.

Apparently, the change of garbage pickup occurred due to a holiday change. Since when did the town workers get Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve off? I was told that the town follows a state holiday schedule, and when the Governor decides to give state employees extra days off, the town follows suit.

I think it’s fine to do that, if we can afford it as a town and if it is allowed by our own town ordinance. It would be very easy for the town to change this by just adding words in the current ordinance “All State of Virginia holidays are to be observed by the Town of Clarksville.”

Under our current ordinance Title III Administration Chapter 30 section 30.01 (look under town code) the town employees are allowed 7 paid holidays. If the town is going to follow the state, then we would be giving 12 days a year plus and any other days the Governor decides to give, such as Christmas Eve and New Years Eve as he did this year. I’m not a legal person but to me, the town is in violation of their own ordinance. (Until that section is changed by a public hearing and a Council vote.) So Council please change the exiting ordinance, and make it legal as the employees deserve it. (2010 has 12 holidays slated for the state)

I have asked a Council member by email with a copy to the rest of the Council about this ordinance. I have not received an answer yet. When I find out I will let you know the answer to this enigma on this blog. (Below State Law for reference only.)

State Law 2.2-3300 Commonwealth of Va.