Slow Putnam County Trash Pickup Continues
Slow Putnam County Trash Pickup Continues Save Email Print
Posted: 10:20 PM Jul 21, 2008
 Last Updated: 10:20 PM Jul 21, 2008
 Reporter: Dave Benton
Email Address: dave.benton@wsaz.com
15 comments
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PUTNAM COUNTY, W.Va. (WSAZ) -- Slow trash pickup service remains an issue for residents concerned about potential health issues including West Nile Virus.

Cummings Collection Service attributes the delays to mechanical problems and some recent personnel losses.

Residents, meanwhile, say they have gone as long as three weeks without trash pickup. Some have sent e-mails here to WSAZ.com, indicating they have called their local health departments and the state Department of Environmental Protection.

The state Public Service Commission reports it has received several complaints about the garbage collection, and the agency is working with the company to help get the trash pickup back on schedule.
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Posted by: Roger on Oct 21, 2008 at 07:56 PM
This service is very unacceptable. Cummings should be fined everyday they are late. If they are not fined, why would they change?
Posted by: me on Jul 23, 2008 at 02:35 PM
i agree with paula - bill did go up. heaven for bid we pay our bill late, but it is ok for them to pick up our trash late. I DON'T THINK SO! i think something either needs to be done with the company or we need another option for trash pick if they can't handle all of putnam county
Posted by: Anne on Jul 23, 2008 at 09:24 AM
Perhaps if the owners of Cummings are unable to run their business in an efficient manner, they need to sell out and let someone else who knows how to run a potentially prosperous business take over. Or maybe that is the problem...it has been so prosperous for the Cummings family that they could care less about their customers now. Something needs to be done about the garbage that is pilling up in Putnam County.
Posted by: Trash up the whazoo on Jul 23, 2008 at 07:29 AM
I work and am expected to do my job or not get paid or get into trouble..that is what I expect of Cummings. I expect them to do their job, which is pick up the trash on time, and then get paid for it. My trash hasn't been picked up for over 2 weeks now and my barrell is running over. I plan to load it all up in my car and take it over to their office and unload it on the sidewalk. It's OK, because it's already paid for. This company has had a monopoly on trash pickup in Putnam County for too long and it is time for the citizens and county officials to do something about it. This is just totally ridiculous and unacceptable. Shame on you, Cummings!!!If you can't run your business the way it should be ran, SELL IT!!!
Posted by: Amber on Jul 22, 2008 at 04:31 PM
Cummings Collection usually picks up my trash anywhere from 2-4 days late.
Posted by: Paula on Jul 22, 2008 at 02:02 PM
Why are some areas receiving pick up and others are allready a week late? We were one day late last week, but Rt. 34 by the construction area has not had their pickup from last Tuesday, as well as a few areas in Winfield. I am afriad we are going to be like last time, we wer 2 weeks with out pickup - and we received a bill with no discount on it. Actually our billwas 1.50 higher
Posted by: Cheryl on Jul 22, 2008 at 01:32 PM
With the personnel problems, it's funny Cummings can't pick the trash up on time, but has no problem getting the bills in the mail to the customers for their monthly pickup fee
Posted by: Shelly on Jul 22, 2008 at 12:15 PM
Why not recycle everything that is recyclable? It will cut down on the amount of trash going into the landfill and Cummings can make money on the recycling. It isn't even an option in rurual Putnam County. You have to take everything to the recycling center on your own, which proves difficult for the elderly and those without transportation. I think it should be manatory to recycle. What a wasted opportunity for Cummings. They could be helping the environment, community and make some additional income.
Posted by: sam on Jul 22, 2008 at 10:14 AM
I have not had any problems with my trash pickup. I think these are isolated problems, and a bigger deal is being made of them than necessary.
Posted by: Anonymous on Jul 22, 2008 at 09:28 AM
If they would treat their employees better maybe this wouldnt happen
Posted by: MESS on Jul 22, 2008 at 09:17 AM
They ( WSAZ NEWS ) must mot wanted to print the truth... Talk to some of the drivers ans talk to a lady named Carol that use to work in the office.. They can sit you straight
Posted by: me on Jul 22, 2008 at 08:10 AM
where i live - it is usaully a day or two late on ours being picked up. as for cummings, they have the same excuse on why they are not picking up the trash. sounds like it needs to be ran a little better and get some better equipment
Posted by: Tim A on Jul 22, 2008 at 07:53 AM
My Cumming gentleman just picked up my trash. Right on time. Here in Poca. They are good people they will make it.
Posted by: A MESS on Jul 22, 2008 at 06:46 AM
OK here it is.. Problems with equipment was only 2 trucks. Problems with workers You work 14 hours a day and you come in and your boss says "you haven't worked enough hours today Go Back Out" and if you don't SHE tells you she will fire you if you don't. DOT laws are being broken ! Drivers paychecks bouncing.. At 6:30 am Monday morning drivers set at Waste Management landfill in Hurricane unable to dump because they were cut off for NON PAYMENT. I turned my cans in and I will take my own garbage to the Sycamore Landfill in Hurricane. They have cheaper rates anyway.
Posted by: wow on Jul 21, 2008 at 11:02 PM
The guys that pick up our trash on rt 60 must have not gotten the memo to not pick it up. They haven't missed a Wednesday!!!
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  • Posted By: g: it is the stupidest thing I have ever heard, to be offended by the word "Holiday", this all comes from you bible thumpers that all want to tell other people how to think and what to say. You offend me! This is the Holidays! Even 50 years ago before all this ridiculous crap started, cards said Happy Holidays, because it covered Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's, it is the Holiday Season! So Season's Greetings and Happy Holidays Y'all!
  • Posted By: to Lady A:: The "holiday" season also encompasses Hanukkah, a major holiday for those of us who follow the Jewish faith. We also give gifts and do "holiday" shopping this season; thankfully WSAZ is less ignorant than you are and recognizes that their viewership reflects more than one faith.
  • Posted By: to Lady A: FYI, Hanukah is also coming up and we of the jewish faith also exchange gifts during this HOLIDAY season. I, for one, am thankful that WSAZ considers all of their viewers. Your comment was incredibly ignorant.
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  • Posted By: Christian not offended: Ok there Lady A, just slow down a minute. Huntingtonian made a good point. Have you ever heard of Hanukah? Some people shop for Hanukah. Jesus was Jewish, so don't tell me that being a Jew is a sin, & Christmas is THE ONLY HOLIDAY this time of year. Yes, I too love to hear MERRY CHRISTMAS, but I refuse to become upset when someone says happy holidays. How do you know if when you say MERRY CHRISTMAS to someone, your not saying it to a Jewish person? Do you ever hear them make a big fat stink about it? NO!!!, you don't. So I think you should just be happy that God has given you another day on this Earth. So that you have the time to celebrate, with your family, whatever holiday you choose. I've decided to say HAPPY MERRY KWANZ~MA~KA that way I've covered them all.
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  • Posted By: Ari: It is CHRISTMAS it is the time we celebrate Christ being born, not Kwanzza or Hanukah. Kwanzza is racist anyways it's a celebration of being black. I have no problem with people saying Happy whatever it is but I am NOT going to watch what i say and not say Marry Christmas becasue it might offend people
  • Posted By: LadyA`: The question was, Did you do any Holiday shopping over the weekend? The shopping they were referring was Christmas shopping. What other holiday shopping would we be doing? Thanksgiving was over. It offended me like many others. It is the Christmas season and I want to see the word Christmas used, not holiday or xmas.
  • Posted By: Huntingtonian: I agree with Anonymous!! It is the "holiday season" and by definition, it encompasses all of the holidays that are coming, not just Christmas. I also am a christian and see something inherintly wrong with pigeon holing this time of year to simply "Merry Christmas." What I find really offensive is those of you who believe that it is ok to say "Christmas" but would be outraged if "Happy Kwanza" or "Happy Hanukah" appeared anywhere. So, that being said: HAPPY HOLIDAYS and a JOYOUS NEW YEAR to all!!
  • Posted By: : Holiday is in referance to ALL holidays this time of year. I have been saying Happy Holidays since I was a kid, growing up during the 80's. Christmas is not the only holiday this time of year. We did just celebrate Thanksgiving, remember. I am a Christian, that is not offended by the phrase HAPPY HOLIDAYS.
  • Posted By: ann: I agree with ladyA its CHRISTMAS
  • Posted By: LadyA: WSAZ- Could you please change the word Holiday to Christmas on your question? The word Holiday offends me.
  • Posted By: mad: To the doofus deer hunter who knocked my mailbox over on gritt rd if you cant drive any better than that you shouldnt have a GUN and thanks for letting us know you smashed the mailbox. MERRY CHRISTMAS DOOFUS
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