Come on guys, face realities. Recycling is moving ahead. It will cost more than planned and accomplish less than stated goals.

As this is written long after the ballyhoo, we were told a minimum participation rate of 50 percent is needed for success of the test. These were not “hard” numbers to be used to force or deny a go-ahead decision.

So, fellow residents, it is gonna happen. This is a mere continuation of the theory that bureaucracies know what is best for taxpayers.

You are learning about monoliths, juggernauts, and bureaucracy. To help your understanding, I offer brief explanations...

A monolith is usually a single block of stone shaped into a pillar or monument. An obelisk (such as the Washington Monument) would also be a monolith.

The term juggernaut generally refers to an overwhelming force or object. A speeding train could be considered as an overwhelming object if you tried to stop it.

Bureaucracy is a form of government by central administration. Officials in a bureaucracy are generally to be regarded as oppressive and inflexible like a juggernaut.

You might say, quite reasonably, so what does that mean to me. Gather around children, and listen to the old man.

Bureaucrats tend to function like juggernauts and as rapidly as a monolith, i.e., at a snail’s pace.

Readers should understand this process before proceeding. Truly, bureaucracies are necessary just to insure every “t” is crossed and the “i(s)” are dotted. Supposedly, this levels the playing field.

Once the wheels of bureaucracy are in motion, it may require an act of Congress to stop or re-direct the motion.

In our culture, we can not function without laws, rules, departments, commissions, plans, and other obstacles. This is designed to protect the public interest from waste, fraud, and abuse.

People who function in bureaucracies have their job performance always on display. Do it well and avoid controversy.

So when proposed projects surface, the usual reaction is positive. No one wants to appear as negative. If the project is a success, good things happen in the future.

My working experience includes years in a bureaucratic jungle. In certain instances, I made policy and hid behind rules. Usually, I stood in front and led disbelievers into the path of righteousness.

I have to assume the city recycling project began as an idea gathered from experience or trade journal articles. It quickly became an idea on the City Council agenda.

As the proposal/project moved along, it became a manageable bundle and given to the council. Their directive was to proceed with testing. Test costs were estimated and would exceed $300,000. If the test failed, there would still be realized benefits.

Generally, residents approve recycling as a concept. These same residents question the city’s approach. There is a difference in viewpoints.

Original handouts contained a cursory view of dollars and assumptions. Without hard data, one assumes the numbers were reasonably accurate. However, residents could extract the main elements with some examination.

The first town meeting provided residents with an opportunity to review the proposal. There were no immediate handouts or numbers for residents to review although printouts were available upon request.

The 40-minute presentation of slides and numbers was good; disclosing many numbers regarding recycling, landfills, and costs.

I have managed projects in my time and assume all “funny” numbers of estimates and “what ifs” have been factored into the decision. These were not readily apparent.

One jarring word almost ruined the presentation. That word was “hopefully.” This is weak phrasing and detracts from any positive preceding words.

The expensive test has begun at Elkins Lake. If it does not work here, the city may not expand the project.

I have talked with TDCJ personnel about using inmate labor for sorting recyclables. Without exception, they are negative to this proposal for a variety of reasons.

Residents have expressed security concerns about inmates pilfering names and addresses (identity theft) from magazines and other mailers. In our house, we shred any thing possibly identifying us. This is a controllable concern.

The most disquieting elements of the recycling project were not addressed satisfactorily. Reference cities were named and cited although I understand some programs are faltering.

Heretofore, we believed re-cycling was something of a break-even revenue proposition. The current economic climate has had a severe impact on the re-cycling revenues.

Fellow residents, the recycling shoe is about to drop. It will cost more and take longer than anticipated.

If deemed a success at Elkins Lake, the project expands to fit the city limits of Huntsville. Effectively, this one area determines project scope for the city; complete with fees.

When it happens inside the whole city, and it will, you will pay more for less service and to support a city project (recycling). Once it starts, it will go on forever.

Get on the bandwagon — or get out of the way.