So much for ‘going out on a high note’

Despite offering a “wellthought-out exit strategy,’ Republic Services draws complaints from citizens over fi nal cart pickup, refunds

by PATTI STOKES

STOKESDALE – Although Republic Services’ contract with the town of Stokesdale expired June 30, the company continued to draw customer complaints for weeks afterward. Customers in some neighborhoods expressed frustration over their waste and recycling carts not being picked up until days, or in some cases, even weeks after Republic said they would be collected; a few have said they are still waiting for the company to issue a refund for service they paid for in advance, before realizing the company’s contract with the town would expire June 30.

“A month removed from the end of the contract, I was extremely disappointed in Republic Services for how badly they missed their commitment to remove their cans from the homes of Stokesdale families,” Mayor Pro Tem Derek Foy said in an interview this week. “After receiving a well-thoughtout, written exit strategy from Republic on May 12, I publicly commended the company for their proactive approach to end the contract on a high note. My commendation didn’t age well based off their actual performance.”

Citizens did what Republic requested and placed their collection carts by the road on June 29, Foy noted.

However, he said, “Republic missed their commitment to have 98-100% of their cans removed on June 29 by a country mile. Their asset removal ended up taking over three weeks. As a blatant example, there were Republic cans lining the streets of major thoroughfares such as U.S. 158 for three weeks waiting for removal.

“I’ve had the opportunity to engage with several well-intentioned managers with Republic Services and wish their company well in the future,” Foy continued. “They are in the business of providing essential services that people need and rely on. That said, it would be best if they left my name off any reference list as they seek future business.”

Former customers of Republic Services in Stokesdale who have unresolved issues with the company are encouraged to call Stokesdale Town Hall at (336) 643-4011.

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divisiveness among Couch’s opponents and supporters, he proposed a collaborative approach in a letter to Whitaker that accompanied his revised text amendment application.

“Th e intent of this submittal is to open a dialogue with the Town to come to a mutually acceptable pathway for moving forward,” Couch wrote in May.

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“We are going to have conversations and try to work through this and see if there is any common ground,” 7779 NC HWY 68, Stokesdale Whitaker said. “If not, then so be it. But we are going to take the time northstar-med.com ● 336.298.7557 that is needed because it is that big of a project or potential project for the town.’’