The company planning to operate a proposed landfill to be built in Washington County, hopes to take over garbage collection for the city of Jackson.

Michael Wilson and Rory Cassedy, of Advanced Disposal, attended the Dec. 30 meeting of the Jackson City Council, which voted to advertise for bids for a new garbage contract for the city. Cassedy and Wilson presented the mayor and council members with a list of the company's current customers in the region.

The company, which is based in Mobile County, recently moved its southwest Alabama operations from a temporary location in Demopolis to Linden. Cassedy explained that final approval by the Alabama Department of Environmental Management is pending for the Turkey Trot Landfill, to be located in south Washington County near the Charity Chapel area.

Once that approval is received, he said it would be approximately one year before the landfill is operational. Because of the closer location, the cost for transporting trash from Jackson should be less than the current costs.

Allied Waste, which operates a landfill in west Escambia County, currently holds the garbage collection contract for the city. The trash collected is transported more than 60 miles for disposal. The anticipated opening of the Turkey Trot Landfill would cut that distance almost in half.

Salvation Army collections up

Councilman Paul South, who served as the Salvation Army's local Christmas bell ringing chairperson, said this year's collections exceeded last year's by more than $2,000 despite the sluggish economy. He thanked all the city employees and other volunteers who participated in the program, which raised $18,160 locally, adding to the $52,144 countywide total.

The program provides money to assist the needy with services that include a food pantry, clothing and drug rehabilitation.

Mayor Richard Long said he was amazed by the response of local citizens who donated despite the economic downturn.

South issued a special thanks to Mrs. Dan Rushing for her assistance in coordinating the local bell ringing efforts.

In other business:

*Councilman Eddie Huggins reported that the Continuous School Improvement (CSI) program was preparing to start up when students have returned to

*Councilman Eldridge Jackson Jr. said that the city's water department conducted a dinner for employees, which boosted moral.

*Councilman Daron Bolen reminded everyone that the 2009 Little League Association was preparing for the upcoming season.

*Council Member Anola Holly, who works for the Clarke County Department of Human Resources (DHR), said that organization utilizes the services of the Salvation Army regularly and thanked all those who donated.

*Councilman Dwight Goolsby also praised those who donated to the Salvation Army this year. He went on to thank Jackson Animal Control Officer Lee Hutto for his assistance with several dogs in trouble and the Jackson Police Department for its response to noise complaints in his district.

*The council voted to utilize the Web site www.govdeals.com to advertise surplus equipment for sale.

*Jackson Police Chief Charles Burge informed the council that the department has partnered with several local businesses to produce a book on character development for local school children.