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People who live in Oakland sounded off today about higher garbage and recycling rates at a Public Works Committee hearing.

People who live in small multi-unit dwellings are particularly angry; one owner we talked to said the increased rates are exorbitant.  "A 262% increase. My 1.7% rent increases every year is not even gonna come close to covering this," said one owner. "It looks like the way that they were figuring out the Powerball payoff," quipped another. "Waste Management used extortion to get this contract." accused yet another owner. "What's happening here is not only unfair and unjust but it borders on the precipice of being criminal," warned another.

But the Director of Public Works, Brooke Levin, held firm, saying "the rates are all in the contract that the city approved, the City Council approved and were signed off by he city administration."  And it only seemed to make people more angry.

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