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Government must follow the rules

I want to thank state Sen. Tony Avella (D-Bayside) for his concern and action on behalf of his constituents regarding the rules and regulations for placing refuse out for collection. Citizens may be fined if they place refuse out for collection before 5 p.m. from May to September and before 4 p.m. from October to April.

In response to my letter and other complaints, Avella indicated that the city Sanitation Department ignored the City Administration Procedure Act’s requirements prior to implementing the rules regarding refuse collection.

Sanitation failed to comply with the rule-making process by not publishing the policy and giving notice to the public, never holding a public hearing, never filing for publication in the compilation of city rules and never publishing in the City Record a statement of basis and purpose.

This situation is an example of what Americans hate about government: oppressive bureaucratic coerciveness, unrestrained fervor to modify behavior, attempts to raise revenues at every opportunity and lack of accountability.

I support Avella’s commitment to achieve a proper resolution in this matter.

Ed Konecnik

Flushing