Trash info, my research:
NYC Mayor Calls Garbage a Business
By MICHAEL BLOOD Associated Press Writer
NEW YORK (AP) -- Mayor Rudolph Giuliani on Monday softened his assertion that other states should take New York City's garbage because their residents enjoy the city's cultural and
business worlds. ''I never said they were obligated to do it. We pay them for it, this is a business. This isn't a question of obligation,'' Giuliani told reporters.
His remarks were a retreat from controversial statements last week, when he said since out-of-towners benefit from spending time in New York, there is a ''reciprocal relationship'' under which their home states should accept New York trash.
His remarks inflamed lawmakers in states like Virginia, where New York ships thousands of tons of waste for disposal.
A top aide said the mayor was not shifting his position. Cristyne Lategano, Giuliani's communications director, said the mayor's earlier statements had been misconstrued in the media and by Virginia politicians, and she emphasized Giuliani never used the word ''obligation'' in characterizing New York's relationship with other states.
''I didn't say, 'You should take it,''' the mayor said Monday. ''I said, 'If you want to do business with us, we're willing to do business with you.'''
Last week, Virginia Gov. Jim Gilmore said he wanted to curb the dumping of out-of-state trash in Virginia, and ban barges from moving trash on state waterways.
He was reacting to word that Waste Management Inc., a trash-disposal company, wants to dump an additional 4,000 tons of New York City trash in Virginia every day.
The company already ships out 2,400 tons of New York City trash daily. |
