The issue of whether to vote
for a new five-year contract came up at the Nov. 12 Board of Aldermen
meeting, where Ward 2 Alderman Maryann Heuston said a decision was
necessary in order to keep the company's $10.9 million bid.

"I believe if we don't make decisions tonight, we'll have to go back to the drawing board," Heuston said.

Russell
principal, Kevin Douglas, who is a regular campaign contributor to
several Board members, came in at $1 million lower than the two other
companies considered.

Capitol Waste Services submitted a $11.9
million bid, while Waste Management submitted a bid for $12.7 million.
Cities are not required to take the lowest bid, which Gewirtz said
could be tied with the fact that it's a non-union operation.

Gewirtz
said she wanted answers about allegations of worker mistreatment,
including an attempt at union busting. In December 2007, a riot broke
out during an attempt to unionize the workers.

"Any finding that
goes against a contractor, we would immediately terminate our
relationship," Curtatone told the Board. "We would not do so on
innuendo and rumors."

Gewirtz maintained that while she doesn't
trust the company enough to approve a full five-year deal, she is
willing to withhold judgment until learning more about Russell's labor
practices.

"I'm willing to give them the benefit of a doubt," she said.

The
Board voted unanimously to remain with Russell for the next year, with
Gewirtz the sole dissenter on a 9-1 vote to renew the contract for five
additional years.