Festival potty situation raises another stink

By Staff
Clif Knight, Hartselle Enquirer
The question of who is going to furnish portable potties for Depot Day has raised a stink for the second year in a row.
Susan Hinges, president of Hartselle Area Chamber of Commerce, said bid proposals for 10 regular portable potties and one handicapped accessible potty were sought from PBS of Killen and Bates Septic Services of Hartselle. Both are chamber members.
John Bates, owner of Bates Septic Services, said he believes his bid should have been accepted because his business is located in Hartselle and he already has portable bathrooms under contract at the Farmer’s Market and in E.A.R.T.H. Park.
Last year, Bates challenged the chamber’s decision to award the bathroom contract to PBS on the basis of a rotating provision in its purchasing policy. Subsequently, the potties were re-bid and Bates won by submitting the low bid.
Hinges said that was not the case.