Recycling in McAlester on a city-wide scale is kind of like the weather, to paraphrase Will Rogers.
Everybody talks about it, but nobody does anything about it.
A group of McAlester residents hope to see that change with an organizational meeting this week. Ward 3 City Councilor John Browne and Pride in McAlester are hosting the meeting, set for 6 p.m. on Tuesday in the former Sewell Jewelry building at 113 N. First St. in downtown McAlester.
“What we’re doing is information-gathering to find out what resources we have in the city to do this, what agencies are interested and how to get started,” Browne said.
Pride in McAlester Chairman J. T. Collier is also enthused about the meting.
“It’s the kick-off thing to get our recycling effort organized,” Collier said.
“I’m hoping people from various interested groups will be there. I think we’re going to concentrate on a game plan that will possibly establish some goals.”
Those who are working on the recycling effort are open to ideas and suggestions about how to make it work. One possibility is a public/private partnership, Browne suggested.
“As for my being a city councilman, it’s got my full support behind it,” Browne said.
Browne would like to eventually see several results from a recycling effort in McAlester.
“My dream and goal would be curbside recycling for the city,” he said.
In addition to the usual benefits of recycling, it could also reduce the amount of garbage going into the city’s rapidly filling landfill. The city has already been notified by the state Department of Environmental Quality that the DEQ projects the landfill will be full sooner than expected.
Another hope is to provide profit for a non-profit organization, Browne said.
Not only interested city residents, but individuals from companies and groups already involved in recycling are expected to attend the event.
“There will be representatives from Green Star Recycling and Recycle Oklahoma,” Browne said. Members of local groups and organizations, such as the Parents Club and KI BOIS Community plan to attend the organizational meeting.
The Ward 3 councilor said he’s keeping a commitment to his constituents by pushing the recycling effort.
“When I was running for office, that was part of my platform,” Browne said. Since he’s been in office, he’s often talked to city residents about recycling, Browne said.
It’s not just the younger city residents who are interested in going green, Browne noted.
“A lot of senior citizens have been the most vocal about it,” he said.
Contact James Beaty at jbeaty@mcalesternews.com.
Local News
Pride group plans meeting to discuss recycling options
- Local News
-
-
Foul tasting water won't last
McAlester’s drinking water is safe to drink and the color, taste and smell will improve soon, according to Pete Stasiak McAlester city manager.
-
Alexix Futisha is named Little Miss Choctaw
McAlester’s Alexis Futisha has been named Little Miss Choctaw for District 11.
-
From the Capitol: Talk about fiscal irresponsibility
Will Rogers said, “I love a dog — he does nothing for political reasons.”
-
Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma signs lease in McAlester
The Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma has found a location and will be moving to McAlester possibly as soon as July, according to Susan Tilkin director of communications for the organization.
-
Rescued horses doing well
Quarter horses rescued in July by the Pittsburg County Sheriffs department are doing well, according to Joel Kerns Pittsburg County Sheriff.
-
Lt. Gov. Lamb lauds region for Work Ready Certification
Oklahoma Lt. Gov. Todd Lamb stopped by the Kiamichi Technology Center in McAlester on Friday to help celebrate the teaming of 15 Southeastern Oklahoma counties as Oklahoma’s Premier Certified Work Ready Region.
-
School board president steps down
A seat on McAlester Public School’s Board of Education has been vacated by President Anne Walker, who has left the position after 15 years, according to MPS Public Relations Specialist Debbie Watkins.
-
From the Capitol: OSP closing F cellhouse
Monday evening the governor put out a press release titled, “Budget Deal Reached: Fallin and Legislative Leaders Announce Fiscally Conservative Budget with Targeted Funding Increases.”
-
Three local men dismissed from grand theft charges
Three Pittsburg County men were dismissed from theft related charges Monday (May 21) in Pittsburg County District Court.
-
Gas prices down, police patrols up for Memorial weekend
Gas prices are down this Memorial weekend but the people expected to be on the road is up and so are the number of patrol officers on duty.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Beryl Makes Landfall on Florida Coast
UN Blames Syrian Forces for Shelling Houla
Raw Video: Gay Protest Blocked in Moscow
Vatican in Chaos After Butler Arrested for Leaks
Jimmy Carter Endorses Egypt's Election Results
Biden Addresses West Point Graduating Class
Dozens of Children Killed in New Syria Attack
Raw Video: Activists Allege Massacre in Syria
NJ Man Charged With Murder in Death of Patz
Support, Fun for Kids of Fallen Soldiers at Camp
Fugitive Penguin Caught, Returned to Aquarium
50 Years Later, Underground Fire Still Burning
Light Show Transforms Sydney Opera House
Raw Video: Unruly Passenger Restrained in Miami
Raw Video: Robber Uses Drive-thru Window
Raw Video: Dragon Arrives at Space Station
Calif.'s Coronado Named Nation's Best Beach
CEO Salaries Become Sore Issue in Labor Disputes
Raw Video: Man Rescued From River in China
Beyonce Entertains the First Family
Celtics crush Sixers in Game 7
Alleged Lego Thief Faces Felony Charges
Has Snooki Named Her Baby?
Heat Wave Warms Holiday Weekend
Inspiration for the class of 2012
Colorado College Student Shot While Trespassing
Will Smith & Josh Brolin on "Men in Black 3"
80-Year-Old Skydiver's Nightmare Jump
JWoww Sizzles in a Black Bikini
Sliders on the Grill
Cruise ship crunch
Backstage With Beyonce
Ultimate Creamy Potato Salad
Pope's Personal Butler Under Arrest
Jenny McCarthy's New Man
Tyler's Classic Coleslaw
Britney Spears Under X Factor Fire
Flesh-Eating Bacteria Victim Hits Milestone
