On February 5, 1957, The Kern County Board of Supervisors established the existing Kern County Garbage Franchise System. The franchises were issued to existing garbage haulers in the county and were enacted for two major reasons:
- To establish control of the waste stream in such a manner as to enhance public health and safety, and
- To provide for various businesses that would ensure an efficient and economical service to the citizens of Kern County.
Orion Campbell was the first owner of Franchise #5 which encompasses the Kern River Valley. It was sold several times between 1957 and 1972 when Bob and Mae Thomas, founders of Thomas Refuse Services, purchased Kern River Sanitation from John Ralston.
The company consisted of three front loaders, one of which was operable. There were fewer than 400 residential customers and about 80 commercial customers. Bob had one employee and himself as drivers and he operated routes during the day and worked on trucks at night. Mae handled the office and billings. Soon Bob had two trucks running and one year later he purchased a used shu-pak for the residential routes that had already grown to over 500 customers. He continued to operate using the old equipment until 1976 when he purchased his first new cab and chassis and outfitted it with a used compactor body. Disaster struck a few months later as the new front loader; left unattended, rolled away and fell one hundred feet into the Kern River. They could not afford to replace the truck and went back to old equipment.
The Company continued to grow and by 1979 there were 1100 residential customers and 127 commercial customers. The customers were serviced by Bob, two drivers, plus Mae and two other office personnel. Both, now 63, were planning to retire and, therefore, looked to their son Mike and daughter-in-law Linda to purchase the company. Bob remained as a director and general overseer of the business in Mike and Linda’s absence until his death in December of 1993. His photograph is hanging in Mike’s office as a constant reminder of where he comes from and what hard work and a strong mind can produce.
When Mike and Linda took over operations the office was located on Wagon Wheel Drive in Lake Isabella and the trucks were stored on Lake Isabella Boulevard, adjacent to the Edison Canal. They operated The Company as structured for approximately six months and then cut one person from the office staff. They used the savings to purchase a new cab and chassis and a used compactor body. When put into operation this truck lessened the burden on Mike and allowed more time for his family. The colors of the company were changed from green to desert tan and a lengthy process of painting the equipment began. In 1981, the company moved the office to the commercial building across from the Lake Isabella Fire Department. This allowed the trucks and the office to be at one location. On August 28, 1981, The Company was incorporated and became known as Thomas Refuse Service, Inc. In November of that same year The Company, due primarily to customer growth, was able to purchase its first NEW truck and body – a 1981 2 axle International, with a Maxon 29 yard front loader body. In April of the following year, a 1982 two axle Maxon shu-pak was purchased.
In 1984, The Company purchased two and half acres of land at 2000 Chain Ave., Bodfish and constructed the complex which it occupies today. Additions to the properties have continued with the construction of forty-four mini storage units and Kern River Valley Recycling Center, a recycling redemption site.
In November of 1984, Thomas Refuse Service, Inc. purchased a small septic service and portable toilet company, Trucker’s Septic. This was combined with the existing Company to use idle employee hours and allow The Company to provide more full time employment. In 1987, our first computer billing was implemented, and in 1989, roll-off service was established.
In 1987, Thomas Refuse Service, Inc. in conjunction with the United States Corps of Engineers sponsored Kern Valley Pride Day, A day which coincided with Take Pride in America Day. On this day, trash was picked up around the Isabella Lake by various groups, clubs and individuals and hauled to the landfill by Thomas Refuse Service, Inc. At the end of the day, Thomas Refuse Service, Inc. provided Bar-B-Q for the workers complete with T-shirts, hats, entertainment and awards. In 1989, Mike and Linda traveled to Washington DC to accept a national award for exceptional service because of their participation in this event. The event continued until 1990 when it had to be canceled because the United States Corps of Engineers transferred management of the lakeside campgrounds to the United States Forest Service. In appreciation of our good fortune and respect for a supportive community, we continue to be active within the community in various ways. Pride Day was reinstated in 1997 and has attracted other corporate sponsors such as the Kern Valley Sun, USFS, QAB Media and California Land Management.
In 1995, through a bid process, the Thomas’ were awarded a contract to operate the Kern Valley Transfer Station. In 1997 a new company was formed under the name Sierra Waste Transfer, Inc. and operations began in June of that year. In November of 2009, we initiated a recycling program for the visitors to use when they come to the transfer station. There are multiple bins and roll offs solely dedicated to accept recyclables. This effort combined with the community's willingness to source separate is helping to meet California's diversion goals.
In 2000, the spreading of septic waste in Hanning Flat was ended due to exorbitant costs for testing and maintenance. The Company constructed a site for the safe transfer of sewage from truck to truck and began the process of transporting waste to the Bakersfield area. The process is expensive and time consuming and management is constantly looking for ways to remedy this problem.
Today, The Company employs nineteen (19) people, services over 3000 residential customers, 600 commercial accounts, and service over 350 portable restrooms per week and services various septic and roll-off accounts. Phyllis Norris Connelly has been with The Company longer than any other employee, 30 plus years. She is known by her voice to many of our customers and has served The Company and the community well.
Our philosophy is, and has been, to provide service whenever and wherever needed and to perform that service so that it is profitable to The Company and valuable to the customer. As a family owned and operated business, we are committed to the Kern River Valley and its citizens. We value our reputation within the community, which is substantiated by our belief that the customer comes first and that giving back is not a choice but a responsibility.
The Company is now in a position to expand within the waste industry. We are ready to accept the challenges of recycling and automation, and we are always looking for better ways to serve our customers. We are fully aware of the changes and demands that are being placed on the industry due to the ever changing way we view our environment, and we stand ready and willing to participate as leaders within our community.