Executives with Waste Management, the trash
hauling company, have resumed negotiations with the Santa Barbara
County Counsel’s office over allegations they underpaid the county
hundreds of thousands of dollars in recycling revenues. The county
claims Waste Management – which serves much of North County – owes
roughly $1 million, including interest. A recent audit of Waste
Management’s books indicated the company could have pocketed
anywhere from $500,000 to as much as $1.2 million in
recycling revenues that by contract should have
been funneled to the county. After negotiations between the two
sides broke down, county supervisors authorized legal action
against the waste giant, bringing Waste Management back to the
bargaining table. The company’s franchise agreement with the county
expires next June.

With relatively little advance notice, the Santa Barbara
College of Oriental Medicine
announced it will
close its doors for good this December after 25
years in the community. According to school founder and president
JoAnn Tall, the decision – forced by declining enrollment and
resulting financial peril – wasn’t made until last Thursday, though
the writing was on the wall after classes began on August 31.
Students in their final year of acupuncture and assorted other
training will be allowed to continue and graduate as scheduled in
August, but the remaining 41 other students will be forced to
transfer after December 11. The school’s clinic will remain open
until September 1, 2007.

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