Brighton City Administrator Manuel Esquibel sat down April 27 to discuss some of the latest trends in and across the municipality.

    First on Esquibel’s mind was the success of the city’s recycle effort, done in cooperation with youth leaders, and proving an unqualified success.

    “The (Brighton) youth commission put out a bin, and it is fairly successful, because it is constantly full,” Esquibel said, praising the effort. “There are very few places that are accepting recyclables. This is free. You just go and do it.”

    The program has been so successful, city leaders are looking at next steps, and just exactly how the city fits in to the process.

    “We are looking at what the role of the city is in supporting that particular effort, just exploring that whole idea,” Esquibel said. “What do we do now?”

    Like the majority of neighboring cities, Brighton already offers recycling via residential trash contractors. But it is a paid service, so many are reluctant to use it, preferring to drop their items at no-cost collection points.

    “A lot of people want to do it (recycle) but they don’t want to feel like they have to pay to recycle,” Esquibel said, noting that the city bin may be the only free game in town now that a recycle bin at a local church appears to have gone away.

    “I think we are the only free service in town right now. There used to be some churches, there used to be paper and other bins as well, but they have stopped doing that because they had problems with people throwing trash in them versus recyclables. We want to continue as a green city and encourage that process, so you will see something in the future.

    On a related note, Esquibel touched briefly on the large item trash collection, scheduled as a drop-off program this year due to budgetary constraints. He mentioned times, locations and the suggested donation idea for those still looking at dropping off this week when the service will be available Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

    “There will be one collection point, at the wastewater treatment plant,” Esquibel said. “People will be welcome to give a donation, but it will not be required. Those unable to drop their items due to hardship are encouraged to contact the city for help.”

    Also of note is Brighton native Ray Gonzalez’ recent appointment to head the Brighton Chamber of Commerce organization.

    “He is overseeing both the chamber and the EDC (Brighton’s Economic Development Corp.) right now,” Esquibel said of Gonzalez’ dual roles in Brighton business. “The EDC has always been their own separate entity, and they operate their own 501(c)(3) organization. We support that organization. Because the chamber is housed within the EDC, we see that as an ability to coordinate efforts. It is my understanding, based on what I know about it, the chamber has a need to restructure itself financially, so they see this as something that could help them rebuild their financial capacities.”

    It’s a win-win that Esquibel sees as a positive for the city, as well as both organizations.

    “From my perspective, we see that continuing, promoting the city’s needs and efforts from a business perspective,” Esquibel said.  “We hope that it works out well for them.”