Rockport residents weigh in on plastic bag ban

A proposed ban on plastic bags has Rockport residents divided, according to a city sponsored survey that the City Council discussed Tuesday during a workshop.

"Let the marketplace work! Is there not more important matters for city?" one resident asked.

Another resident stated, "For years and years, Europeans have had to provide their own bags. We need to stop the waste!"

The city distributed almost 9,000 surveys with water bills, asking residents how they felt about banning or requiring businesses to charge for plastic or paper bags. There were 688 responses. The survey and a public workshop Tuesday were the first steps the council has made toward the ban. The council took no action at the workshop.

Mayor Pro Tempore Bill Fisher said Brownsville successfully banned plastic bags last year, and he was surprised by the number of Rockport residents who supported a local ban. He blamed visitors for the bags blowing throughout town. The money made from selling reusable bags could be used in a cleanup effort, he said.

Councilwoman Adelaide Marlatt disagreed with Fisher on where the trash originates. She said the trash begins with haulers in town that don't cover their trailers. Marlatt pushed for litter law enforcement.

A plastic shopping bag ban also has been discussed by Corpus Christi city officials this month after residents called for the ban. Beeville considered a ban in 2009 but never voted on an ordinance.

In Rockport, one resident surveyed told the city to fine people who litter instead of making everyone responsible.

"We shouldn't be charged because you're not making people pay for trashing the place," the resident wrote. "I'll end up doing my shopping in another town if I have to pay for bags."

Another resident suggested the city implement a "bag awareness" initiative.

Still, others were concerned about the environment. "Birds should be in the trees," one wrote, "not plastic bags."

Resident Tony Hardee told the council Monday he collected 204 signatures from people who oppose banning plastic bags. He added that the survey was confusing, and it did not include an option for the status quo.

Some residents stated the survey was biased toward banning plastic bags because of the way it was worded.

"There should have been 'leave as-is' options added if you wanted to get a good representation of voter beliefs!" one resident stated.