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Don't Mess With Bandera co-coordinator Bob Brischetto (green shirt) speaks to Bandera County commissioners during their regular session July 27.
Photo by Jessica Nohealapa’ahi
August 2, 2023
Bandera County commissioners hear recycling report, face staff shortages
By Jessica Nohealapa’ahi
The Bandera Prophet
Wrapping up 38 weeks of Saturday-only recycling, Don’t Mess With Bandera has received 2,030 visits from county residents, and collected 35 tons of recyclables.
“That’s 35 tons that won’t go into a landfill,” Don’t Mess With Bandera co-coordinator Janus Olive told commissioners last Thursday, adding the material would eventually be sold. “It won’t be an overwhelming amount, but it will come back to the county.”
In January 2022, Bandera County discontinued its recycling program due to lack of volunteers, and concerns about exposing inmates to Covid during the pandemic.
In April 2022, a group of 37 volunteers gathered to discuss recycling and the county’s trash problem, and the can once again began moving down the road. After Pct. 4 Commissioner Jody Rutherford stepped forward and offered the use of the solid waste station in Bandera, the Don’t Mess With Bandera non-profit initiative took shape.
Olive said on the first collection day in October of last year, 31 people came to drop off their recyclables; now an average of 72 visitors come every Saturday.
“Customers have been very appreciative, and very cooperative,” Olive said.
Three items are accepted: flattened corrugated cardboard, aluminum cans and plastic bottles.
“First it took a little bit of education and informing the community, but we have made progress,” Olive said, adding 90 percent of the customers are from precincts 2, 3 and 4. “That’s a long way to drive [from Lakehills] to bring in your bottles, cans and cardboard.”
Though it’s been an overall success, volunteers have encountered a wrinkle. About 17 tons of plastic bottles and aluminum cans are sorted and waiting to be baled before they can be shipped off. All collection bins are full, and more cardboard continues to come in.
“We are asking the court to help get the baling done. We really need it immediately,” Olive said.
Based on information received from organizations that sell recycled material and their current market values, Brischetto estimated about $4,400 would come back to the county.
“It’s not a lot of money, but it’s something we think that can be used for recycling,” Brischetto said. “We are now at a point where we need a decision by the court on whether to continue. We are willing to go forward, but only if you can immediately solve this crisis to get the rest of the material baled and removed.”
Brischetto said he has a list of more than 100 people signed up to volunteer, and some of those would be willing to operate the baling machine, if the court approved. Rutherford said although the county is short-handed and cannot spare the manpower to help, he would work to find someone who is licensed to run the baler.
“We appreciate your hard work,” County Judge Richard Evans said. “We need to have a conversation and see if we can have a volunteer certified to run the machine.”
~ In other business, commissioners continued discussion on a job description for animal control officers (ACO) to staff a stand-alone animal control department.
“Last month we had more dog calls than people calls,” Bandera County Sheriff Dan Butts said, adding two people formally trained as ACOs would be certified to pick up animals.
“We don’t need a law enforcement officer refereeing between neighbors who are mad about dogs,” Butts said.
Animal Control Liaison Sandra Schott said currently two deputies rotate, covering the day shift seven days a week.
Commissioners are expected to continue the conversation during their next regular meeting.
~ During the month of June, the Bandera County Sheriff’s Office responded to 562 911-calls for service. Deputies traveled 22,471 miles, with an average tone to on scene for priority calls of 13.12 minutes, and responded to 11 call within the city limits.
The total for incoming and outgoing calls was 6,619, with 1,683 incoming 911 calls.
Deputies made 3 felony arrests, 12 misdemeanor arrests, and responded to 95 animal related calls - 30 dogs were picked up and zero cats picked up.
Butts said the Sheriff’s Office was down five patrol deputies, including two who were out for medical reasons. He said the jail was also short five deputies. Six inmates were positive for Covid, however Butts said thus far there were no serious complications.
~ EMS Director Shannon Griffin said EMTs responded to 260 calls, with an average 1.04 minutes lapsing from tone to response, and 11.34 minutes for tone to on scene. EMTs traveled 12,537 miles.
Like the SO, Griffin said EMS was down three paramedics, however with the help of volunteers and part-time medics, the department is able to continue running 24/7.
“That’s 35 tons that won’t go into a landfill,” Don’t Mess With Bandera co-coordinator Janus Olive told commissioners last Thursday, adding the material would eventually be sold. “It won’t be an overwhelming amount, but it will come back to the county.”
In January 2022, Bandera County discontinued its recycling program due to lack of volunteers, and concerns about exposing inmates to Covid during the pandemic.
In April 2022, a group of 37 volunteers gathered to discuss recycling and the county’s trash problem, and the can once again began moving down the road. After Pct. 4 Commissioner Jody Rutherford stepped forward and offered the use of the solid waste station in Bandera, the Don’t Mess With Bandera non-profit initiative took shape.
Olive said on the first collection day in October of last year, 31 people came to drop off their recyclables; now an average of 72 visitors come every Saturday.
“Customers have been very appreciative, and very cooperative,” Olive said.
Three items are accepted: flattened corrugated cardboard, aluminum cans and plastic bottles.
“First it took a little bit of education and informing the community, but we have made progress,” Olive said, adding 90 percent of the customers are from precincts 2, 3 and 4. “That’s a long way to drive [from Lakehills] to bring in your bottles, cans and cardboard.”
Though it’s been an overall success, volunteers have encountered a wrinkle. About 17 tons of plastic bottles and aluminum cans are sorted and waiting to be baled before they can be shipped off. All collection bins are full, and more cardboard continues to come in.
“We are asking the court to help get the baling done. We really need it immediately,” Olive said.
Based on information received from organizations that sell recycled material and their current market values, Brischetto estimated about $4,400 would come back to the county.
“It’s not a lot of money, but it’s something we think that can be used for recycling,” Brischetto said. “We are now at a point where we need a decision by the court on whether to continue. We are willing to go forward, but only if you can immediately solve this crisis to get the rest of the material baled and removed.”
Brischetto said he has a list of more than 100 people signed up to volunteer, and some of those would be willing to operate the baling machine, if the court approved. Rutherford said although the county is short-handed and cannot spare the manpower to help, he would work to find someone who is licensed to run the baler.
“We appreciate your hard work,” County Judge Richard Evans said. “We need to have a conversation and see if we can have a volunteer certified to run the machine.”
~ In other business, commissioners continued discussion on a job description for animal control officers (ACO) to staff a stand-alone animal control department.
“Last month we had more dog calls than people calls,” Bandera County Sheriff Dan Butts said, adding two people formally trained as ACOs would be certified to pick up animals.
“We don’t need a law enforcement officer refereeing between neighbors who are mad about dogs,” Butts said.
Animal Control Liaison Sandra Schott said currently two deputies rotate, covering the day shift seven days a week.
Commissioners are expected to continue the conversation during their next regular meeting.
~ During the month of June, the Bandera County Sheriff’s Office responded to 562 911-calls for service. Deputies traveled 22,471 miles, with an average tone to on scene for priority calls of 13.12 minutes, and responded to 11 call within the city limits.
The total for incoming and outgoing calls was 6,619, with 1,683 incoming 911 calls.
Deputies made 3 felony arrests, 12 misdemeanor arrests, and responded to 95 animal related calls - 30 dogs were picked up and zero cats picked up.
Butts said the Sheriff’s Office was down five patrol deputies, including two who were out for medical reasons. He said the jail was also short five deputies. Six inmates were positive for Covid, however Butts said thus far there were no serious complications.
~ EMS Director Shannon Griffin said EMTs responded to 260 calls, with an average 1.04 minutes lapsing from tone to response, and 11.34 minutes for tone to on scene. EMTs traveled 12,537 miles.
Like the SO, Griffin said EMS was down three paramedics, however with the help of volunteers and part-time medics, the department is able to continue running 24/7.
Cans, plastic bottles and cardboard are sorted, but await baling at the Bandera solid waste station.