LETTERS: News story challenged
To the Editor:
This letter is in regards to the article in the Marion County Record "Marion firefighters extinguish Florence trash truck blaze." I realize there is tension between Marion and Florence, but why increase friction between these two towns over exaggerations.
Let's start at the beginning of the article with city officials asking that the waste be dumped on city side streets rather than private property. This is good in theory only, there are too many outside factors that flaw this idea. Almost all side streets are lined with cars, low hanging branches from trees and are very narrow. This coupled with not knowing what may be causing the smoke or fire in the compactor, how volatile or combustible the load might be, can create an explosive situation. I'm not trying to scare anyone but with today's chemicals anything is possible. I do want to stress that we try to monitor what goes in the hopper and is compacted. So back to my point, I would rather have the trash dumped in an open area as soon as possible where there are no restrictions or obstacles to hurdle while trying to extinguish the fire, and let's not forget about the driver. Yes he was unharmed, not that you would know from reading the article. How long would you like to drive around sitting on a possible time bomb looking for an "appropriate place" to deposit your load?
Now, for the quote "flames were shooting out the back of the truck." I spoke with the driver and he told me that only smoke was visible until the refuse was ejected from the back of the truck onto the parking lot exposing it to the third part of the fire triangle "AIR." The packer has some charred paint area caused from the hot spots contained within but no evidence of flames were found. Since the trash truck packs from the rear it would be difficult for the driver to notice any smoke trailing until he came to a stop.
"The chief indicated the church's parking lot was a 'very nice one' and church officials had concerns about the asphalt being ruined." Once again the driver is fine and came away unharmed thanks for your concerns. The church parking lot still is a very nice one, so when does a parking lot become more valuable than a human life? "The street sweeper is a heavy vehicle and they were concerned the load would ruin the asphalt." I am confused as to what they were referring to as a "street sweeper." All I know is the three employees from the city of Florence used brooms, shovels, and a skid steer to remove the refuse from the parking lot and reload it in the trash truck. A "skid steer" is smaller than a car but weighs a third more. Once the refuse was reloaded, Marion firefighters hosed off the parking lot leaving it clean and unblemished to me. By the way, great job by the Marion Fire Department — kudos to you and your response time.
Last but not least, "Mayor Eloise Mueller questioned why the truck was traveling through the city on its way to the transfer station and said it may be necessary to require trash trucks to utilize U.S.-56." Am I to understand that no outside traffic is welcome within city limits of Marion or is it just the ones that have trouble or breakdown that should not trespass. As I understand it Marion trash trucks have had their share of problems so why is it such a big deal when it is Florence? I get the impression that if you don't live in Marion then you are not welcome.
These are my opinions and views and should not reflect upon the city of Florence.
Stuart Funk
Florence
