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ARMENIANS' TIES TO TRASH HAULING ARE DEEP-ROOTED
By Amanda Baumfeld
San Gabriel Valley Tribune
October 19, 2008 Sunday
California
MONTEBELLO - For a portion of the Armenian community, trash hauling
is a serious family business with deep roots in the past.
Most of the city's independent haulers took over rubbish and trash
yards that their ancestors started when they migrated to the city
more than 100 years ago.
Their roots and their ties to family and employees run deep.
Many of these men and women attended Montebello High School. They
attend church in the city, eat at local restaurants. And, most
importantly, they pick up trash.
Like most haulers, Aron Petrosian has much pride in the family
business.
"Few people really know about the industry," Petrosian said. "I was
always proud of my father being a trash man and some people would
laugh about it. But all these small haulers are part of the community
and we have such a dramatic impact on Montebello."
But some haulers like Petrosian say their livelihood is in jeopardy
over an exclusive trash hauling contract their hometown recently
signed with Athens Services.
The 15-year agreement, worth $7.8million annually, grants Athens
exclusive rights to all trash hauling in the city. It phases out
contracts with the 13 independent haulers who currently collect trash
in commercial areas.
The issue has divided many in the city with trash haulers fighting
for a shot at bidding on the same contract that was granted to Athens.
The division stings, because Athens' owners, the Arakelian family,
sprang from the same roots.
"This has turned out to be Athens verses these independent haulers,"
said Musid Minasian, an Armenian resident. "None of these guys have
disrespect towards Athens. Athens is trying to put themselves in front
of the Armenian community and they are trying to take someone's roots
away from them."
The Arakelians did not comment for this story.
Many of Montebello's Armenian families belong to the Holy Cross
Armenian Apostolic Cathedral in Montebello.
One man inside the church, who only referred to himself as Carl,
explained how divisive the issue has become in recent weeks.
"Both sides belong to the church," Carl said. "They are very good
people. The Arakelians are a great family."
The Armenian community's strong ties to the trash industry began in
the early 20th century.
For example, Denise Hagopian, owner of Heavenly Choices, recalled
how her grandfather immigrated to Los Angeles in 1906. He worked as
a laborer and eventually became a farmer raising hogs and chickens.
"The first rubbish was picking up leftover food from a restaurant
to feed to the cattle," said Hagopian. "They would pick up all the
leftovers, that's how rubbish hauling started."
Then packaged food began appearing in the early 1940s along with
paper plates, plastic silverware and that created more rubbish,
said Hagopian.
"Already having a route picking up rubbish, they picked up the
next things," Hagopian said. "It was just a natural progression
of business."
Petrosian, of Commercial Waste Services, says his family businesses
started with raising hogs. As a fourth generation resident, he has
formed many relationships in the city.
"Our social circle is in Montebello; that's our community," Petrosian
said. "Me and the rest of the haulers, we all have relatives here
and central ties in the city."
Jack Topalian of Nasa Services said he believes Montebello's entire
economy will suffer if the traditional trash haulers no longer did
business in town.
"Just the local business that we do," Topalian said. "We do a lot
with local auto shops, the fuel we purchase; there would definitely
be a major trickle down effect that would happen."
Despite the recent debate, many in the Armenian community remain
hopeful that they will be able to stay close to their Montebello roots.
"It's the most precious thing to the Armenians to maintain their
culture," Hagopian said. "But if you don't have business in the city
you have to move and you lose those bonds that are hundreds of years
old. What a terrible thing to lose."
By Amanda Baumfeld
San Gabriel Valley Tribune
October 19, 2008 Sunday
California
MONTEBELLO - For a portion of the Armenian community, trash hauling
is a serious family business with deep roots in the past.
Most of the city's independent haulers took over rubbish and trash
yards that their ancestors started when they migrated to the city
more than 100 years ago.
Their roots and their ties to family and employees run deep.
Many of these men and women attended Montebello High School. They
attend church in the city, eat at local restaurants. And, most
importantly, they pick up trash.
Like most haulers, Aron Petrosian has much pride in the family
business.
"Few people really know about the industry," Petrosian said. "I was
always proud of my father being a trash man and some people would
laugh about it. But all these small haulers are part of the community
and we have such a dramatic impact on Montebello."
But some haulers like Petrosian say their livelihood is in jeopardy
over an exclusive trash hauling contract their hometown recently
signed with Athens Services.
The 15-year agreement, worth $7.8million annually, grants Athens
exclusive rights to all trash hauling in the city. It phases out
contracts with the 13 independent haulers who currently collect trash
in commercial areas.
The issue has divided many in the city with trash haulers fighting
for a shot at bidding on the same contract that was granted to Athens.
The division stings, because Athens' owners, the Arakelian family,
sprang from the same roots.
"This has turned out to be Athens verses these independent haulers,"
said Musid Minasian, an Armenian resident. "None of these guys have
disrespect towards Athens. Athens is trying to put themselves in front
of the Armenian community and they are trying to take someone's roots
away from them."
The Arakelians did not comment for this story.
Many of Montebello's Armenian families belong to the Holy Cross
Armenian Apostolic Cathedral in Montebello.
One man inside the church, who only referred to himself as Carl,
explained how divisive the issue has become in recent weeks.
"Both sides belong to the church," Carl said. "They are very good
people. The Arakelians are a great family."
The Armenian community's strong ties to the trash industry began in
the early 20th century.
For example, Denise Hagopian, owner of Heavenly Choices, recalled
how her grandfather immigrated to Los Angeles in 1906. He worked as
a laborer and eventually became a farmer raising hogs and chickens.
"The first rubbish was picking up leftover food from a restaurant
to feed to the cattle," said Hagopian. "They would pick up all the
leftovers, that's how rubbish hauling started."
Then packaged food began appearing in the early 1940s along with
paper plates, plastic silverware and that created more rubbish,
said Hagopian.
"Already having a route picking up rubbish, they picked up the
next things," Hagopian said. "It was just a natural progression
of business."
Petrosian, of Commercial Waste Services, says his family businesses
started with raising hogs. As a fourth generation resident, he has
formed many relationships in the city.
"Our social circle is in Montebello; that's our community," Petrosian
said. "Me and the rest of the haulers, we all have relatives here
and central ties in the city."
Jack Topalian of Nasa Services said he believes Montebello's entire
economy will suffer if the traditional trash haulers no longer did
business in town.
"Just the local business that we do," Topalian said. "We do a lot
with local auto shops, the fuel we purchase; there would definitely
be a major trickle down effect that would happen."
Despite the recent debate, many in the Armenian community remain
hopeful that they will be able to stay close to their Montebello roots.
"It's the most precious thing to the Armenians to maintain their
culture," Hagopian said. "But if you don't have business in the city
you have to move and you lose those bonds that are hundreds of years
old. What a terrible thing to lose."