Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

City's trash pick-up now handled locally

Garbage pick-up in the City of Gurdon is now handled by a local company, according to Gurdon Recorder Treasurer Tambra Childres.

Walker Sanitation, owned by Bobby and Kristyn Walker of Gurdon, began operations in Gurdon on Tuesday, Sept. 4. The citys garbage pick-up had been done by A and M Sanitation out of Little Rock for the last 18 years, Childres said.

Bobby Walker worked for A and M for the last 15 years and helped with the Gurdon route. He decided a few months ago to pursue his own business and was able to buy out the contract A and M had with the city.

Childres said the new arrangements will be good for Gurdon. Not only have new jobs been created in the city, but holidays will not cause garbage to be picked up late unless the holiday falls on Tuesday or Wednesday, the days trash is picked up in Gurdon.

Childres said A and M had previously gone to a holiday schedule if the holiday fell on a Monday because they picked up garbage in another city on that day and therefore had to push everyone back a day. Walker will only be working in Gurdon, so he will not have to adjust for Monday holidays.

Not having to adjust for a Monday holiday caused a good bit of confusion for the first week of service from Walker Sanitation, said Childres. With Labor Day falling on Monday, Sept. 3, residents did not put their trash out on their regular days Tuesday and Wednesday.

Walker has several requests for residents that will make trash pick-up easier and will keep trash from being strewn before the garbage truck arrives.

The first request is that residents invest in large plastic trash cans in which they can put their trash when they sit it out at the road. A and M had requested that residents not use the cans, but Walker said they will keep dogs out of the trash.

He also asked that if cans are used residents should put their trash out the night before the garbage truck runs. Walker will be running earlier than A and M has previously, and putting it out the night before will ensure it is there when the truck comes by.

Walker also asks that all residents bag their trash.

Childres said the city supports Walkers request for the use of cans but said residents need to be sure to take their cans back away from the street after trash is picked up.

After the trash is picked up, wed like them to take it back to the house, she said.

Using the trash cans is allowed under city ordinance, but it is illegal to have permanent trash bins inside the city. Childres requested that any citizens with these bins should remove them.