Nonprofit, Rome mayor at odds over recycling initiatives
Business News
ROME —
Rome Clean & Green wants to increase the city’s recycling rate.
But first, the nonprofit needs city funds that the mayor is not willing to provide, said Tanya Davis, executive director.
“We have the council’s support, a lot of community support, and you have one person saying, ‘I don’t think so,’” Davis said. “The mayor holds all the cards on this at this point — that’s what’s frustrating.”
The Board of Estimate recently tabled the organization’s $48,000 contract to provide educational services to the city.
“We are looking into expanding our recycling program, and at some point, I think Clean & Green can be of assistance to us,” Mayor Joseph Fusco said. “We just don’t know at what level that assistance is going to be.”
The organization has pledged to bring the recycling rate from 17 percent to 27 percent, which would save the city $120,000 in garbage tipping fees, Davis said.
The national average is 34.1 percent.
“It’s a small investment with a big return,” she said.
Last year, the city gave the nonprofit $20,000 in federal block grant money that allowed it to hire Davis part-time for 10 months.
As a result, the Keep America Beautiful affiliate regained good standing with the national organization, Davis said.
The local nonprofit also leveraged $36,500 in grants, added 80 members, organized into 10 committees and transformed its marketing efforts, she said.
In the organization’s proposal to the mayor, President Tim Birnie said the Environmental Protection Agency recommends cities partner with nonprofits to convey effective messages to the community as peers rather than enforcers.
“Nonprofits are viewed as approachable and helpful, and why wouldn’t you take advantage of having that in your community?” Davis said.
Read more: http://www.uticaod.com/news/x997485320/Nonprofit-Rome-mayor-at-odds-over-recycling-initiatives#ixzz2Zmt34HY8
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