Maybe I just over simplify things

[keep]

So, I'm watching the news this morning and a report comes on saying that city budgets were beyond stressed because of tree and limb removal after all the winter storms. Why do the cities not cut up the wrist size pieces and smaller and sell them as firewood? It may not pay for all the removal but it would atleast offset some of the cost. Then chip up the rest and sell for mulch.
On another note. All these huge grass areas on the sides of the road that we pay the city workers to mower and maintain. Heck, plant costal then bale it. We're having to pay to cut it, have them make another pass 2 days later to roll it up. Have the guys in the orange jumpsuits walk it for trash, just as they do now, then cut and bale it. That would recoupe some expenses and also keep enough hay in the area. I'm sure Ft Worth could sell all they had to just the guys here on tbh that are needing hay.
I guess I'll never make a politician because I see no sense to just waste money and that seems to be their first proirity.

[lbbf]

That makes sense and there is NO room for that kind of talk in politics!

[bsills]

I think it sounds good, but not cost effective.

[Deathrow Jethro]

that makes sense and there is no room for that kind of talk in politics!

sounds like the politicians creed...

[keep]

I think it sounds good, but not cost effective.

How is it not cost effective when the cities have to pay to pick up the trees and limbs now? Instead of putting them in the trash as is done now then paying extra for their disposal. Cut some up as sell it rather than pay to dispose of it.
As for the hay, we are mowing it now. It would take one more pass a couple of days later and they can sell it for $30+ per bale. I'm not saying the small patches rather the large areas.

[Texastaxi]

Wilhelm for Governor!

["DOC"]

Jim, Jim, Jim, WAAAY too Logical. You are getting stressed to early.

Mornin' Buddy......

[k9trainer]

How is it not cost effective when the cities have to pay to pick up the trees and limbs now? Instead of putting them in the trash as is done now then paying extra for their disposal. Cut some up as sell it rather than pay to dispose of it.
As for the hay, we are mowing it now. It would take one more pass a couple of days later and they can sell it for $30+ per bale. I'm not saying the small patches rather the large areas.

I don't know about all cities. But a few down here do gather the limbs and mulch it. If you are a licensed lawn company within that city, they give you free mulch and everyone else has to pay.

[Atfulldraw]

Look Jim, those pretty newscasters aren't trying to make you think.

I'm watching it too, but you don't see me stressing my little brain this early in the morning.

Just go with the flow -- government's job is to take in your money and spend it.

Don't complicate the issue.

[Geezy Rider]

That's a great idea Jim and useing prison labor would off set the cost but like others have said that's just too much common sense for politicians to grasp. Seriously though, try to submit it to the city counsels around Texas and see if any of them go for it. They all have web sites and emails now.

[skime]

It does make too much sense...the government is not in business to make money, which is why the postal service is in the situation it is in now!

[Ron]

Your right on. The problem is it is too simple and makes too much sense. Now they are going to help your health care too!

[Coullion]

How is it not cost effective when the cities have to pay to pick up the trees and limbs now? Instead of putting them in the trash as is done now then paying extra for their disposal. Cut some up as sell it rather than pay to dispose of it.
As for the hay, we are mowing it now. It would take one more pass a couple of days later and they can sell it for $30+ per bale. I'm not saying the small patches rather the large areas.

It's not fair to private companies who sell hay and firewood, they can't compete with a municiple entity that uses prison labor to create their product.

There's also risk, what happens if for some reason they are not able to sell the product, then our tax dollars are being used to sell and market a product and we end up with a net loss, could you imagine the uproar from the public when our taxes have to be raised to account for a loss in tax dollars from a business venture gone bad??? Sounds good but would never work on paper.

[innergel]

I agree with Coullion. Cities do not need to be in the business of anything.

What they need to do is put the limb and tree removal and hay cutting out for bid and let the winner sell whatever they collect. That way the city gets the bid money and does not have to ramp up with machinery, materials, labor, etc. to do something new. The city could require a profit sharing with the winning bidder as well. It would also free up the city workers to do something else beneficial, like maybe fix all the dang potholes.

[Russ81]

Back in the drought of the 90's the state let people bale side of hiways but shut it down due to the fighting and other BS that came with folks wanting to do it. Hail in Santa Fe alone we went from 2-3 full time custom balers to about ten trying to get in on baling free land