This controversy, posted on Saturday, is still attracting interest. The comments on that post are also intriguing, since it seems that some are simply in disbelief that 3rd District Candidate Bob Schick was ever contracted or employed by Waste Management, past or present. Here are some updates I got, for what it's worth.
- The individual who filed the complaint did contact me. I asked for some clarification on what was going on. I received the following e-mail from the individual: At my request, ADA Landgraf phoned me on 3-31-11 re. action to be taken concerning Schick's alleged non-disclosure of certain information required by Franklin's election officer. He stated that he would pursue this complaint based on the records from the common council meetings that indicated Schick was in the employ of Waste Management. He said he would get these records from (City Clerk) Sandi. Later in the day Landgraf phoned again saying that Sandi informed him that Schick came to City Hall and prepared a revised version of his disclosure.
- Candidate Bob Schick has also been in contact with me via e-mail. Schick stated that due to the investigation, he didn't wish to elaborate further on the situation until the District Attorney's office makes a decision, but did say that there are "two sides to every story." That's understandable. Whenever Schick wishes to respond directly to the claims, Franklin Today will post it.
There shouldn't be any questions on whether or not Schick was hired by Waste Management. I quote the December 4, 2006 Minutes of the Waste Facilities Monitoring Committee (emphasis mine): Another map showed the area that Bob Schick, a private individual hired by Waste Management, checks for odors and when there is a complaint after closing hours, he checks it out and makes a report. He does this every night between 6:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. There was a copy of a surveillance report and complaint form that Mr. Schick would generate on odors that come through after hours.
Here's a section from the February 19th, 2007 Minutes of the same committee (emphasis mine): Mr. Ioder stated the approval for Mr. Schick to call would have to come from Waste Management. Mr. Bergmann inquired if that was agreeable with Waste Management. Mr. Hackney stated they would prefer to keep Bob Schick since they are paying him in regard to complaints for Waste Management.
While those minutes are from several years ago, residents affected by the landfill's odor still indicate Schick is the individual to contact regarding those issues to this day.
