Horse owners forced to find new trash service
by Brian DiTullio

DESERT HILLS/NEW RIVER – A number of Desert Hills and New River residents were scrambling to find a new trash collection company after Allied Waste Services pulled the plug on their service.

Thomas Alauria, of Desert Hills,  woke up last Thursday to find his trash bin gone. After calling Allied Waste, he told The Desert Advocate manure was to blame for his predicament. However, Alauria, who is a horse owner, claimed there was no manure in his trash bin at the time it was taken.

Alauria stated he wasn’t the only one who had to find a new disposal service, explaining that many of his neighbors who own horses told him they also had their waste collection cut off. Alauria was not able to provide an exact number of Desert Hills residents affected by the Allied Waste decision.

“I put manure in my receptacle once,” said Alauria. “They told me not to do it anymore, and I haven’t.”

Alauria related he was informed by Allied Waste that the company not only wants no manure in its bins but wants to completely eliminate “the possibility” of manure being put in its receptacles, resulting in the elimination of service to horse owners in the area.

Several New River residents reported receipt of a letter from Allied Waste about two weeks ago notifying them, because they are horse owners, their service would be terminated. One property owner related she had maintained two receptacles, one specifically for household trash, but said the letter cited “weight” regarding horse manure as the reason for cancellation.

Scott Reisner, an employee with Allied Waste, said he was aware of the situation but referred all comment to upper management.

Several calls placed to company General Manager Mark Creswell seeking comment were not returned.   

Alauria said he was able to set up a new trash removal contract with Waste Management.