I am responding to the news that our garbage rates will be increasing. I understand that the cost for services will increase; but with this $60-a-year increase to my household budget (more than a 270 percent increase, going from $3.36/can to $9.20/can), I was completely baffled as to what I will be receiving for my money.

First, it seems that from the article one of the main concerns is littering in Renton. I live in a well-established housing development in the Renton Highlands and I can collect all of the litter in our part of Renton in one hand! What are they talking about? Second, I will now have the pleasure of holding my garbage around my house for two weeks instead of one, enduring the smell from rotting waste. I get to pay more for half the service! So what do I get for the additional $60? I get to pay an extra 270 percent per can so that nonexistent litter won’t appear, so I can collect it for two weeks and oh yeah… I get to recycle that polycoated box. Wow! What a deal! Where does the council think that in these tough economic times the extra money will come from for this ridiculous new plan?

Brian Morris

Renton