In the interest of full disclosure, I am a truck driver who works for the Solid Waste Division of King County. I am also a 25-year-plus resident of Auburn.

As I read a letter from Ms. Cummings imagining the horror of a transfer station in Auburn (“Auburn, more than you imagined?”, April 26, Auburn Reporter), I couldn’t help but wonder if Ms. Cummings was aware of the amount of money King County has spent and is spending on wetlands and “natural” areas around the county.

I wonder if she has ever taken a load of refuse to a transfer station. I wonder if she was aware of the already existing transfer station in Algona, which is basically in Auburn.

I wonder if she as ever sat and counted those thousands of cars, pickups and semi-trucks bringing their garbage to Auburn. I wonder if she as examined the road for damage. I wonder if she has visited the new, state-of-the-art transfer station at SeaTac. I wonder if Ms. Cummings knows that King County will actually cite itself if the Solid Waste Division does not comply with all the rules and regulations for running a landfill/transfer station.

I wonder if she understands that the local companies that actually pick up her home garbage don’t work 24/7, nor do the drivers.

It’s the homeowner or contractor who uses the station.

The issues and concerns she raises are valid ones. But I know that King County has a love of the environment like no other. And before the first stake is put in the ground all of her concerns and more will have been addressed.

Humans make garbage, the county is tasked with disposing of it. A not-in-my-backyard approach isn’t something we need.

– Ritchie Reynolds