Republic Services is doing a great job

FILE PHOTO: In this July 30, 2013, photo, a Republic Services refuse truck drives through the Polk County Waste Resource Management's North Central Landfill. The Ledger/Michael Wilson Published: Friday, May 27, 2016 at 12:01 a.m. Last Modified: Wednesday, May 25, 2016 at 7:33 p.m. Republic Services is doing a great job in my neck of the woods. They have purchased newer vehicles, much larger than the original ones. We live close to the cul-de-sac on our street and see the drivers' difficulty in turning the large trucks around. Perhaps those who leave for school or work don't realize or care that both garbage and recycle drivers are alone in their vehicles. The driver in the one who operates the lift device that picks up the barrel tips it upside down, allows the lid to open and the garbage to drop into the truck. If it's packed too tight in the barrel and the barrel has a lot of moisture, not all the contents might come out. If the cover is not closed because of overloading, the barrel is not emptied because part of its contents would drop on the customer's lawn, driveway, or street. The driver of the recycle vehicle must exit his vehicle, pick up the container and dump it into the truck. Now, let's say we have more than either container can hold normally. Would we call Republic a few days ahead and check if they could drop off a couple of extra containers? No, it's better to call a political official and raise all kinds of fuss. Yard trash vehicles have a driver and a pick-up man aboard. The driver will also help when necessary. If you have a yard full of brush or logs, if you call Republic, they will arrange to send a lift truck and operator to remove it. We are talking about 140,000 homes. The politicians are saying Republic is also expected to wash these containers as well. Are the customers supposed to supply the water? Come on, folks, who is getting them dirty? I am 82 years old and do mine. Raymond C. Bowman Lake Wales