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Packed House for Landfill Public Hearing - John Dunn
FOX 17 News – By: John Dunn
It’s standing room only as hundreds of people come out against a proposed landfill.
Commissioners in Marshall County hear one passionate plea after another as residents say “not in my backyard” to a plan to build a 600 acre garbage dump in Cornersville.
They came by the carload…a caravan of people united by a common cause.
"We do not want it in this county, no where in this county," says landfill opponent Rollie Beard.
Hundreds of Marshall County residents, many of them wearing green, came out to “stop the landfill.”
Hundreds of Marshall County residents, many of them wearing green, came out to “stop the landfill.”
"This is when the people actually have the opportunity to tell us how they feel about it," says Marshall County Commission Chairwoman Mary Ann Neill.
The meeting began with public comments.
"I don't think that a landfill is the way we want our county to be perceived," says landfill opponent Ray Cox.
And there was no shortage of opposition.
"Our way of life will be destroyed, our ability to continue farming will no longer exist," says landfill opponent Carol Ward.
"It has been a wonderful place to live and I don't want to see it ruined, but it will be ruined," says landfill opponent Rita Stafford.
Waste Management wants to build a landfill on 600 acres of farmland.
Now, more than 5,200 Marshall County residents have signed a petition against the proposal.
"Your constituents are telling you they don't want another landfill in Marshall County," says landfill opponent Scotty Brock.
Many people here spoke about environmental concerns.
The proposed landfill site is bordered by Richland Creek, a source of water for people in neighboring Giles County.
"What will happen to our water supply, the drinking water will be contaminated for human and animal consumption," says landfill opponent Peggy Crump.
Above all, people want their commissioners to listen.
"Can each of you here look in the camera, or at each person here, and say that you would vote for a landfill if you lived within one mile of the proposed site," says landfill opponent Donna Smith.
Even though the auditorium was full of people, no one spoke in support of the landfill.
There will be another public hearing about this proposal this Thursday night in Cornersville.
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