Trash contracts and direct democracy have a long history in California cities. The awarding of lucrative contracts is one of the bigger decisions city councils stil make, in the post-Prop 13 world where the state, not local communities, make the big tax and spend decisons. And thus, there's a long history of smelly pay-to-play deals on local trash contracts. But in a state with such a long tradition of direct democracy, a council vote is usually just the beginning of the story. There have been dozens of recall campaigns launched over the awarding of trash contracts. And in some cities, the contract itself can be put to a referendum. Now, in the Los Angeles suburb of Montebello, it appears that the new trash contract may produce both a recall and a referendum.