A few years ago, Christiansburg Town Council kicked the can down the road when discussing garbage fees, curbside recycling and whether to charge all property owners (a few were setting out garbage without paying, others wanted to haul their own trash to county bins).
A group subsequently approached council about setting up a private company to offer curbside recycling for an additional fee.
Visitors to the town's recycling sites were recently greeted with a new option for curbside recycling services, by a new company.
The enthusiastic sales person had a table and laptop and brochures, ready to sign up customers.
The sales person stated this was the only such service in town, apparently unaware the new company's schedule, services and fee structure was almost identical to their unknown competitor's.
Hopefully the new curbside recycling company can become another successful enterprise in business friendly Christiansburg. And since it didn't know about a competitor, hopefully the principals did know business licenses (and possible peddling permits) are required.
Note: Blacksburg requires curbside recycling and trash collection at every property (the town directly contracts for recycling). Those basic monthly fees are $21.70 as contrasted to Christiansburg's garbage only of $16.50.