Neighborhood preservationist urges residents to report missed pickups as council faults Waste Connections

Martin Scott, the city's neighborhood preservationist, told the DeRidder City Council that an increasing amount of debris ' limbs, brush, furniture and other bulk items ' has been left along city streets and that many missed bulk pickups appear to be caused by contractor performance.

"Visit the Waste Connection website ... or call them directly at (337) 463-7211," Scott said, urging residents to log missed pickups so the company is held accountable and service requests are documented. He said when multiple residents report the same missed service it increases the likelihood of corrective action.

Mayor (speaker) and council members said they have heard frequent complaints about Waste Connections and questioned the contractor's performance. One council member cited that the city pays "over $90,000 a month" for the service and said, "if they don't perform, we're gonna find someone else who will." The mayor said he had met with the police jury and that they also expressed dissatisfaction.

Council members gave examples of businesses and residences reporting missed pickups and said staff and officials have contacted contractor supervisors (named in the meeting record as Johnaro/John Rowe) to seek prompt corrections. No formal termination or penalty action was recorded at the meeting; council members said follow-up would include additional meetings with the contractor and outreach to other waste-management firms.

The council did not take a formal vote to terminate the contract at the meeting. Officials directed residents to report missed service to the contractor and said city staff will continue to press for performance or pursue other vendors if service does not improve.