Just the facts — part ll
Published 4:05 pm Thursday, February 14, 2019
Editor:
There are many unknowns about the future impact that the proposed mega-landfill would have on Cumberland County, its residents, and the hundreds of thousands downstream, as stated in an earlier letter to the editor, “Just the Facts.” Just a few facts that I would like to mention include this landfill will accept trash from as many as 21 other states, the increase in tractor-trailer traffic is at a minimum 250 trucks coming into the county daily, the dump will consume approximately 1,200 acres of land, the dump will displace people that have lived most of their lives in the county, the dump will change people’s plans for retirement, and the dump will be in operation for over 30 years. Most professionals agree that over time the liners that are used to protect against water and soil contamination will eventually leak, most agree that dumps attract nuisance birds and rodents and most agree that dumps have an unpleasant odor.
Maybe some people cannot even begin to imagine what life has been like for others in the county since June 2018, especially residents in District 2. I recently read this comment and thought it pretty much stated some facts that no one can say is “misinformation and innuendo.” This Cumberland resident stated “imagine … you invest your time, energy, money and plan your future’s hopes, dreams, and investments into your home for yourself, your family, your children and grandchildren. You’ve either lived in your house since you were a child or you just moved in your home full of excitement or you just finished building your home looking forward to the quiet years to come … and you receive an unsolicited deal on your home and land from a multibillion dollar corporate trash company,” offering you a sellout just in case you decide that you don’t want to live next to a 1,200 acre mega-landfill.
Virginia does not need this mega-landfill. Three Board of Supervisors voted for this landfill. Three board members made the decision that will affect so many people in a negative way. This is a fact that no one can deny. I hope that people that live in other areas of the county can just take the time to realize that this landfill is going to change our county forever … and not in a good way!
Barbara Speas
Cumberland