http://www.whittierdailynews.com/fdcp?
1222939081859
Trash talking
Protest at City Hall over Athens contract
By Amanda Baumfeld, Staff Writer
Article Launched: 08/21/2008 11:28:16 PM PDT
JOINING PROTEST: Montebello Mayor
Bill Molinari expresses his displeasure
with the City Council's vote granting
Athens Services an exclusive contract
without taking bids during a press
conference at the Montebello Civic
Center on Thursday. (Leo Jarzomb /
Staff)
Photo Gallery : Trash haulers protest at City
Hall
MONTEBELLO - Angry trash haulers, labor union
activists, politicians and residents converged on
City Hall on Thursday to protest an exclusive 15-
year garbage contract that cuts out independent
haulers.
Nearly 150 people stood outside the civic center
holding signs and waving American flags on a hot
late-summer afternoon to protest the contract
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between the city and Athens Disposal.
"We are tired of these backroom deals in
Montebello," said Ray Broguiere, a local business
owner. "It's trash haulers today. Who is it
tomorrow?"
On July 23, Councilmembers Kathy Salazar,
Robert Urteaga and Rosie Vasquez voted in favor
of a contract with Athens Services, naming it as
the only waste disposal company to serve the
city. As a result, 13 independent trash haulers
will be forced to find work elsewhere as their
contracts are phased out over the next seven
years.
The contract, worth about $7.8 million annually,
provides Montebello with a one-time payment of
$500,000 and 7.5 percent of gross receipts from
commercial accounts. Mayor Bill Molinari and
Councilwoman Mary Anne Saucedo-Rodriguez
voted against the contract. Molinari took part in
Thursday's demonstration.
Signs painted in red, white and blue included
phrases such as "Numbers don't lie but 3
councilmembers do," "Reverse the council's
vote," "Athens' contract is garbage" and "Recycle
the council." Cars honked as they passed by and
protestors waved and chanted.
At one point an Athens truck drove by the crowd,
drawing boos and jeers.
Athens officials did not return a phone call
seeking comment.
10/2/2008 2:18 AM

The haulers have formed the political action
committee Montebello Residents for Honest
Government. They want the council to rescind its
decision or have the issue go to a vote on their
proposed referendum.
A referendum is when an approved or proposed
measure by a legislative body goes to a vote of
the people.
On Wednesday, independent trash haulers
handed the city clerk a petition for a referendum.
Their effort required signatures from 10 percent
of the Montebello's 25,496 registered voters - or
2,550 signatures.
The petition included 6,324 signatures,
according to Aron Petrosian, an independent
hauler.
"It all speaks for itself," Petrosian said. "This is
ludicrous. I think people are entitled to a vote."
The Los Angeles County Registrar has until Sept.
19 - 30 days - to verify the signatures, City
Administrator Richard Torres said. From there it
will go to the council.
Thursday's gathering was meant to lend support
to trash haulers and apply pressure on the
council.
Among the speakers was Edward Rendon of the
Teamsters Joint Council 42. He said the
Teamsters Union no longer endorses Urteaga.
Teamsters weren't alone in castigating Urteaga.
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The Los Angeles County Federation of Labor also
overturned its endorsement of Urteaga, saying
his actions have "caused great harm" to
Montebello residents.
"We thought Robert was a breath of fresh air
and he represented blue-collar families," Rendon
said. "But he said no to all free enterprise."
Urteaga defended his decision to back Athens.
"As a councilmember I do what is best for the
community at the time, not what is best for a
special interest group," Urteaga said. "I have a
lot of respect for the Teamsters and I believe in
union issues."
Councilwoman Kathy Salazar said she would not
rescind her decision.
"I hope it does go to a vote of the people,"
Salazar said. "If the community feels we made
the wrong decision, I respect that. I trust the
people and I trust their judgement."
Vasquez did not return a phone call seeking
comment.
amanda.baumfeld@sgvn.com
(626) 962-8811, Ext. 2108
10/2/2008 2:18 AM