December 7, 2010
Anderson County rejects resolution to require 'bottle' deposits
By Leean Tupper
Supporters of a long-proposed "Tennessee Bottle Bill" are asking county legislative bodies across Tennessee to approve a resolution showing support for legislation that could require deposits on all beverage containers in the state.
But, during a recent County Commission meeting at the Anderson County Courthouse, commissioners rejected the resolution with an 8-7 vote; the issue needed 9 favorable votes to pass.
Proposals for a statewide beverage-container deposit program have been brought before the Tennessee Legislature five times, according to Anderson County resident Charles "Buzz" Buffington.
It's expected that related legislation will be presented to state legislators a sixth time in state legislators' next session, which begins in January.
Buffington, who retired from TVA and enjoys fly fishing in his spare time, said he's spent a lot of time over the years leading volunteer clean-up efforts of the area's waterways and illegal dumpsites.
"The largest majority of what we pick up is containers, mostly drink bottles and cans," Buffington recently told members of the Anderson County Commission's Legislative Committee.
He also spoke about the matter to the Anderson County Commission during its recent meeting at the Anderson County Courthouse.
At that meeting, Anderson County Commissioners Chuck Fritts, Rick Meredith, Johnny Alley, Robert McKamey, Jerry White, Whitey Hitchcock, Steve Mead and Robin Biloski voted to support the resolution.
"It's a step towards getting rid of the crap that makes Tennessee ugly," Biloski said.
Commissioners Tracy Wandell, Mark Alderson, Dusty Irwin, Zach Bates, Tim Isbel, Jerry Creasey and John Shuey voted against the resolution.
Some county commissioners said they support recycling, but they cannot support the resolution or what they consider a tax on the people.
Creasey said the county and state need to focus on its current efforts to combat litter.
Shuey said "people need to be more responsible" regarding trash.
Buffington said the "bottle bill" would be a deposit program in which people would pay a deposit when they purchase soda bottles and cans; citizens can get that deposit back if they choose to return the empty containers.
"If it's worth a nickel when it's laying on the ground, it'll get picked up," Buffington said of litter, and its connection to the "Tennessee Bottle Bill."
Currently, discussion about a so-called "Bottle Bill" is revolving around a resolution that supports the creation of such legislation.
Buffington said 15 counties in Tennessee have already approved the resolution.
"I do support recycling, but I don't see how this would work. It seems like it would be a tax," Anderson County Commissioner Tim Isbel said during last week's committee meeting.
Buffington said local small businesses could have "redemption centers" for consumers to return their empty drink bottles and cans.
"You pay a 5-cent deposit (at purchase), and you get 5 cents when you bring them back," Buffington said.
Alan Beauchamp, director of county buildings and grants, said he had to agree with Isbel.
"Any way you read it, this is a tax," Beauchamp said during the Legislative Committee meeting. "It's a tax if I have to work to get it back."
County Commissioner Dusty Irwin said he, too, thinks the "Bottle Bill" would be a tax.
"I don't believe this is the kind of business that government should be involved in," he added.
Irwin said he thinks the issue of a statewide "Bottle Bill" should be put to a voter referendum so that citizens "can decide if they want it."
Buffington said he's not looking for support of a new law, he's just seeking support for the concept, knowing that it likely will change as any proposed legislation about a beverage container deposit program moves through the legislature.
At the Legislative Committee, Irwin made a motion "to can this thing -- that's a pun," and forward the resolution to County Commission without a recommendation for approval. That motion failed.
A second motion passed to forward the resolution to County Commission with a recommendation for approval.
http://www.oakridger.com/news/x1646546440/Anderson-County-rejects-resolution-to-require-bottle-deposits
