LSWDD is giving thanks

December 1, 2020 11:30 am
Contributed photo Left to right: LSWDD Volunteer Bill Scherer, LSWDD Staff Nikyta Palmisani, and LSWDD Volunteer Ruthie Van Doren.
Contributed photo Left to right: LSWDD Volunteer Bill Scherer, LSWDD Staff Nikyta Palmisani, and LSWDD Volunteer Ruthie Van Doren.

Submitted by Lopez Solid Waste Disposal District

This year has been a wild ride of ups and downs and on-going challenges. During this holiday time of giving thanks, Lopez Solid Waste Disposal District acknowledges the great many players that have contributed to LSWDD continuing to deliver high quality, uninterrupted essential services during this particularly challenging year.

LSWDD once again gained approval for its 2020 LSWDD Levy necessary to put to voters annually. Staff is grateful to the Lopez Island voters for standing with them. Through this continued support LSWDD continues to provide the meaningful services if self-separated recycling, the beloved Take It or Leave It, and numerous community recycling, reuse and repair programs.

LSWDD has been fortunate to have volunteers who not only show up in all weather to assist other Lopezians in recycling and reusing but go on to win state wide awards. When LSWDD recently presented online at the Washington State Recycling Association’s annual conference, other facilities were in disbelief that LSWDD has a less than 1 percent contamination rate on recyclables. This is unheard of in other locations, and owes primarily to the dedicated volunteer force and committed citizens!

Recently, volunteers have contributed to helping the Take It or Leave It reopen safely. The dedicated staff, volunteers, and the public are adapting to new days, new intake procedures, the new online reservation system, and limiting quantities of donated items. And LSWDD acknowledges that they could not operate without the masked and socially distanced shoppers and droppers.

LSWDD particularly wishes to express its gratitude to retiring LSWDD Board Chair Clark Johnson for his four years of dedicated service. In that time, Johnson and the LSWDD Board has kept LSWDD financially stable, in compliance with county regulations, has increased staff support through vision and dental benefits, the hiring and creation of three new staff positions of and has led the board on countless visioning sessions to steer the organization towards a more sustainable future. Thank you to Johnson and all LSWDD Board members: Rhea Miller; Gene Helfman; Clay Smith; and Larry Bailey.

LSWDD wants to thank the whole participatory community, including SWAP and wishes everyone a very safe and healthy holiday season.