EDITORIAL TRASH PLAN SKEPTICISM COUNCILMAN SAYS RIGHT THINGS ABOUT TRASH, BUT DOES HE MEAN THEM?

IN his latest trash disposal proposal, Los Angeles City Councilman Greig Smith certainly hit all the points that Granada Hills residents have been hoping to hear.

His plan would divert as much as 90 percent of the city's waste over 20 years by conserving and recycling, thus effectively ending urban dumping, such as at Sunshine Canyon.

After years of politicians' weak-kneed promises to stop sending trash to the landfill, this is the first real plan to do it, albeit over the long term.

But don't break out the champagne before considering Smith was the second in command for 20 years to Councilman Hal Bernson, the man who repeatedly sold out the community to the operators of the dump.

Still, Smith ought to be granted the benefit of the doubt. Perhaps this may be his way of distancing himself from his predecessor. If that's the case, then he deserves hearty congratulations - once the 20-year plan starts producing results.