Angry council member Olson lights into city board for contemplating large item pick up changes

While changes are likely at some point in the future, La Crosse’s annual large-item pickup process will continue in its same form for another year.

The city’s public works board had contemplated getting rid of curbside pickup in favor of placing dumpsters at a couple of spots, so things like recliners and end tables could still get tossed.

But, at a meeting Monday morning in City Hall, city council member Jessica Olson called those plans, “ludicrous” and angrily scolded the board for considering such a move.

“You’re responsibility is to take care of your city and take care of the people who are making this economy run,” she said. “This service is critical to everyone who’s doing that.

“You’re saving a pittance that’s going to cause major headaches and problems and illegal dumping.”

Changes had been considered due to much higher price projections for 2019 from the contractor that handles the pick up.

“When landlords find out about this, you’re going to hear about it,” Olson threatened, if changes were made. “The tiny bit of money you are saving and the nightmare you are going to cause is not worth it.”

This spring, that contractor, Hilltopper, collected about 2,000 mattresses and box springs, along with 267 tons of other large items in La Crosse.

Instead of changing the process, Hilltopper settled for a 10 percent hike for 2019 to continue the four-week pickup.

After Olson angrily left the meeting, the board agreed to continue large item pickup curbside essentially unchanged for another year.