When Winnipeggers hear the words "tax grab" they reach for their pistols. This time the target is the mayor's new "excess waste charge" on trash collection. Mayor Murray, the riot act has been read - "no more taxes." That includes garbage taxes.

It seems that no one at City Council gives a toss that the tax grab on garbage pick-up has been a part of our daily lives ever since waste collection costs were built into property taxes. Winnipeggers have been huggermuggered into a trash class war that pits neighbour against neighbour.

For the same garbage collection service, higher valued homes and businesses cross-subsidize trash collection for apartments and residences cursed or blessed with sliding property assessments. The tax grab on trash is alive and well.

The mayor's fear of unfettered city waste piling up ad nauseam is likely shared by most Winnipeggers. So there's no point carrying-on about reducing, reusing and recycling. It's agreed. Reckless polluters need to be reigned in. What's sorely lacking form the waste debate is consideration of individuals who want to curb their trash and be rewarded for the effort.

Admittedly, the march of trash will likely head into retreat should Murray's proposal prevail. But it's no substitute for the real deal. However unpopular, a user fee on trash is still the most sensible solution, not only for Murray's green agenda but also for homeowners who agree to pay as they throw.

Strictly speaking, Murray's excess waste charge is not a bona fide user fee. The public flogging of Murray's proposal has dragged "user fees" into the same sludge that once enveloped "two-tier."

Come to think of it, two-headed hydra beast would make for better description of the new trash service. It's a messed-up combo of public subsidizies with a waste charge for extra rubbish relief. Lob off one head of the beast and two more might spring up. Next time let's hope it's a proper user fee model.

Angling for taxpayer support to restructure waste collection works best when property tax relief is the bait. Hiking costs for the same trash collection service is no way to court public approval. Surely the mayor anticipated the sour public reaction. Or have methane emissions from the city's mounting waste impaired his better judgment

Property taxes will fall once the solid waste department is retooled into a utility that charges garbage collection at cost, either as a flat rate, a tag system or a combination of both. Trash collection costs should be treated no differently than the user fees charged on hydropower, natural gas and water and waste.

Mayor Murray and Councillors, show some leadership and pledge a new contract with the City. Commit to another 4% property tax cut and give life a new solid waste utility. In the meantime, send around a crew of garbage men to pick up some curbside trash at City Hall, namely the bylaws that build trash collection costs into property tax.