I’m not a fan of the pay-as-you-throw trash system (PAYT) in Waterville. However, I am a supporter of recycling after seeing what it can do. But we all know that there are issues that need to be changed, and/or rethought. On Oct. 9, after three weeks of storing recycling, many bins were overflowing with material that the wind distributed trash all over neighborhoods. This I witnessed with my own eyes. Whomever drafted the original plan on PAYT didn’t allow for any foresight in what could happen on a three-week calendar cycle. Now we are committed to a year of this, and the council says we must tough it out. It says much for our present local officials. We, as residents, need to repeal the $2 trash bag tax as it is bad for us as a whole.

And as for the mayor and councilors, shame on you. Especially our illustrious Mayor Heck. Her gaveling and rudeness to our residents is second to none. A resident asks a legitimate question only to be told in a raised voice, ” because you’re irritating” and later, suddenly being shut down and dismissed with “all right, you’re done, thank you”! Heck is a fine example of what a mayor shouldn’t be, and in November, we’ll be done with her.

We have some great people running for office this time. From both sides of the fence. They may be new, but they are business savvy and approachable. People of Waterville, it’s time for a change. Please take the time to talk to and read literature about our new candidates. They are saying what many of us think, but we cannot get the ear of the present administration. They aren’t listening. Let’s begin a new chapter in Waterville, as taxpayers, we owe it to ourselves.

Michael E. Williams Sr.

Waterville