Crash Morrison, the owner of Rockwell-based Crash Morrison Garbage Service and S.H.A.R.K.S. Recycling, says a “complicated situation” forced him to suspend collections but he will remain in business, by himself.
Customers of the longtime garbage collector have wondered for a week whether their trash would be collected. Towns that have contracts with him resorted to picking up their own waste.
A Post reporter made repeated attempts to reach Morrison last week but did not receive a response. Monday morning, Morrison said he was on the brink of a stroke last week and was unable to work.
He said he will continue in business without wife Joanna, who was the company’s vice president. Morrison said the two have separated.
The couple reportedly terminated their employees and told some customers — including the towns of Landis and China Grove — they would no longer be in business.
Landis Public Works Director Steve Rowland said Wednesday he spoke briefly with Crash Morrison just before a special town board meeting. Morrison apologized, but did not offer a reason for the service interruption.
China Grove Town Manager Ken Deal said last week the couple met with him and told him they were closing their business.
When asked Monday morning about his conversation with Deal, Morrison did not respond.
He did say that is he is working today to collect all of the garbage that wasn’t collected a week ago. He received help Monday morning but plans to operate the service by himself.
Morrison said he is unable to hire his employees back at this time but has offered assistance to “get them working.”
Morrison called the events of last week a “complicated situation.” He said he understands Landis town leaders’ decision to go with another garbage contractor.
“I understand their position. They have every right to,” he said.
Landis Town Manager Reed Linn said the town was able to find an interim waste collector — Waste Pro.
He said the company began collecting garbage Monday morning around 6, and as of late Monday, the town had received no customer complaints.
“I know they are running a little slow, but they don’t know the route,” he said.
The company is working within the town’s current budget.
“They are a good community-friendly group,” Linn said.
In China Grove, Deal said he has talked to three contractors, but the town has not decided what will be done with its garbage collection.
“We are looking for the best service and looking for an interim (service) or someone to fill out his contract,” Deal said.
The town is in the second year of a five-year contract with Crash Morrison. The town council plans to meet today in closed session to discuss its legal options.
When asked about the town’s contract with Morrison, Deal said Crash Morrison “pretty much voided that contract.”
Residential customers have contacted the Post about their concerns. Some residents have complained that they will take a loss on the money they’ve already paid to Crash Morrison for services. Others have said they don’t want to abandon him and want to see what services he can resume this week.
Morrison said it’s going to take some time, but his plan is to collect all of his customers’ trash by the end of the week.
Several other local garbage companies have Morrison in their names. They say they are not associated with the Rockwell company and continue to serve their customers.
Contact reporter Shavonne Potts at 704-797-4253. Twitter: www.twitter.com/salpostpotts Facebook: www.facebook.com/Shavonne.SalisburyPost.