Garbage drop box to stay

MATTAWA - Freedom of speech has worked for the residents of South Grant County.

The county has relented - for now - and will keep the Mattawa-Desert Aire garbage drop box open. This after residents appeared en masse at a county advisory committee meeting and argued for retention of the garbage collection site.

Sixteen residents of South County spoke to the solid waste advisory committee on March 9 about a decision to close the site this year. The committee sided with them on a compromise schedule, and the county commissioners agreed on March 23.

The commissioners approved a recommendation from the committee to reconsider closing the drop boxes in Coulee City and Mattawa. The two sites were scheduled to close on July 1.

The two sites will remain open, and the advisory committee will provide an updated recommendation during the preparation of the 2017 budget.

There will be no changes to the drop box tipping fees, but the hours will change as a result of the compromise.

The new hours at Mattawa-Desert Aire will be Fridays and Saturdays from 9 a.m.-5 p.m., effective May 1.