PORT ARTHUR, Texas — The Port Arthur city leaders are implementing a new plan to help with the ongoing issue of trash pile up.
Port Arthur Mayor Thurman Bartie spoke Tuesday to the public regarding the trash that piled up at neighborhoods in Port Arthur in November.
He said the issues began during supply chain concerns brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic and broken-down trucks.
People who live in Highland Heights off Taft Street have faced trash trouble since November.
“Well, after our first report they sent out two trash trucks the next day of service and they'd good,” said Port Arthur resident Buddy Simmons.
That good thing came to a halt weeks after our 12News story, and Simmons was back at square one, staring at piles of trash once again.
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“Now the last pickup was December 20. Which was approximately three weeks ago,” Simmons said.
Simmons said large items like sofas can be left on the curb for weeks at a time.
“We pay for the service it's not a convenience, which I had been told. It is a service and we're just paying more for it right now,” Bartie said.
During the press conference, Bartie tried to explain what's going on.
“Mitigating circumstances, being such as equipment, because of our inability to get parts so that the equipment would function properly,” Bartie said. “Also, attendance of employees. COVID which no one really likes to speak on. employees are being infected.”
City officials said they hear citizens' concerns and they plan to improve services.
“We are looking at a six-month period that we would actually lease these trucks to be sure that our garbage is picked up in a timely manner. Next we have changes in the garbage collection schedule,” Bartie said.
Bartie said a new plan has been rolled out and went into effect Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2022.
The city is leasing more trucks that will come with drivers. Starting Tuesday, the city began a six-month trial period.
Drivers will work until sundown on a six-day pickup schedule. After the trial concludes, the city will revisit the subject.
Simmons hopes Port Arthur's plan works.
“I'm looking forward to it and see how that turns out,” Simmons said.
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This is a developing story. We will update with more if and when we receive more confirmed information.