Supporters of curbside recycling in Savannah are dropping their efforts to force a refendum on the issue.
Recycling supporters have been gathering signatures since October and yesterday insisted that they have the required number to force a referendum. But they also now insist that calling voters to the polls over recycling isn't necessary.
City Manager Michael Brown agreed over the holiday weekend to draft an ordinance making recycling a matter of city policy. City spokesman Bret Bell says, both sides compromised.
"We find it very refreshing that they were willing to sit down at the table with us," Bell says. "They approached us in a spirit of cooperation. We feel like we approached them in the same manner."
The strange end to years of criticism over Savannah's lack of curbside recycling was linked to state funding. Officials said, the state Department of Community Affairs was reticent to fund the city's recycling program with a referendum looming.
City officials promise curbside recycling by 2009.
Recycling supporters have been gathering signatures since October and yesterday insisted that they have the required number to force a referendum. But they also now insist that calling voters to the polls over recycling isn't necessary.
City Manager Michael Brown agreed over the holiday weekend to draft an ordinance making recycling a matter of city policy. City spokesman Bret Bell says, both sides compromised.
"We find it very refreshing that they were willing to sit down at the table with us," Bell says. "They approached us in a spirit of cooperation. We feel like we approached them in the same manner."
The strange end to years of criticism over Savannah's lack of curbside recycling was linked to state funding. Officials said, the state Department of Community Affairs was reticent to fund the city's recycling program with a referendum looming.
City officials promise curbside recycling by 2009.
