Mayor LaToya Cantrell gave a 'State of the City' address this week where she touted her administration's work in infrastructure, specifically getting more roadwork accomplished.
But a snafu this week left WWL host Newell Normand asking: what about trash collection?
The City Council had to step in and passed an emergency measure to get a garbage contract in place to avoid what could have bee a catastrophe: No way to collect trash as tourist season kicks into high gear.
On Dec. 23, the city's contract for garbage hauling services covering most of downtown was set to expire, and apparently no one was ready for it -- even though they should have been. "They created an emergency with their inaction," Normand said. "This should not be happening. Mayor, open your eyes, see the council. Own it. Take care of it. Everyone is disappointed."
The emergency contract will cost an additional half-a-million dollars, Normand said. But it never should have gotten to this point. The existing contractor had alerted the city in July this was going to happen.
"The record's clear that everybody knew," Normand said, adding, 'It's absolutely craziness."
NOLA.com reported the contract issues "represent the latest chapter in the Cantrell administration's ongoing struggles managing the city's trash pick-ups," noting that "Earlier this year, the city finalized a re-bid of the two hauling contracts covering most residential areas of the city after the former contractors faced mounting complaints during the pandemic and then a total breakdown of service after Hurricane Ida."