Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Spring Membership Drive


Donate now to support local news and music on WBOI

City Council Begins Seeking Resolution Over Troubled Garbage Collections

Red River Waste Solutions

2nd District city councilman Russ Jehl announced Tuesday he is preparing a measure that would give Fort Wayne paths toward amending its contract with its beleaguered solid waste management firm, Red River.

“To paraphrase Shakespeare, something is rotten in the City of Fort Wayne, and that is our garbage contractor, Red River,” Jehl said.

Since becoming the city’s official garbage collection agency in January, officials have received an increase in contact regarding late or missed pickups. In that time, Red River has attributed these problems to growing pains, equipment troubles and, most recently, a national driver shortage.

Jehl says Red River simply hasn’t been doing its job, and he’s tired of the calls.

080718RIVER2.mp3

“Presently, they collect our fees, but not our garbage, and that is a substantial breach of contract and it has gone on far too long without any progress,” he added.

Jehl says his intent is to “empower” Mayor Tom Henry’s administration to restore reliable garbage collection, and that he will bring the measure before Council in the next several weeks.

Zach joined 89.1 WBOI as a reporter and local host for All Things Considered, and hosted Morning Edition for the past few years. In 2022, he was promoted to Content Director.