To the editor:

I, too, am a senior citizen living in Lawrence. I live on a fixed income (my Social Security). I am so frustrated to hear about the possibility of mandated trash bins, recycle bins for each homeowner and also an extra charge for the once-weekly yard waste pickup. I rarely have more than one trash bag for curb pickup; I recycle as much as possible to the bins at Checkers and Walmart. I recycle my grass clippings and leaves as mulch but because I live in an older neighborhood, there are always limbs and debris, plus overgrown vine and flower clippings that I need to clean up and put out for the yard waste pickup.

I have read with great interest the articles in the Lawrence Journal-World professing that Lawrence could and should become a mecca for senior citizens. Well, I would wonder how many financially challenged senior citizens would consider Lawrence a budget-friendly city. We Social Security recipients have not had a COLA for two years, so my budget is stretched to the limit.  Every time a new increase or expense comes up, I have to eradicate one more thing from the existing budget. And now with this proposal I would have a monthly trash bin fee, a monthly recycle bin fee and have to pay extra for yard waste pickup. I hope the city seriously considers what a burden these proposed mandates would place on so many of us and makes every attempt to consider the financial status of so many of Lawrence’s citizens.