Legal action promised if White Street re-opened

From The Citizens for Economic and Environmental Justice (CEEJ) held an open forum for the citizens of East Greensboro and citizens who oppose the reopening of White Street Landfill. SCSJ is representing CEEJ..

The Citizens for Economic and Environmental Justice (CEEJ) held an open forum for the citizens of East Greensboro and citizens who oppose the reopening of White Street Landfill. SCSJ is representing CEEJ..

by Yasmine Regester
Carolina Peacemaker
Originally posted 4/6/2011
The Citizens for Economic and Environmental Justice (CEEJ) group held another open forum for the citizens of East Greensboro and citizens who oppose the reopening of White Street Landfill on Monday, April 4 at Laughlin Memorial United Methodist Church.
The Greensboro City Council has already heard from five trash companies that are proposing solutions to the disposal of the city’s trash. Most of which include reopening and expanding the White Street Landfill.
At Monday’s meeting, Attorney Chris Brook from The Southern Coalition for Social Justice was present to answer resident’s questions. Brook is providing legal representation for CEEJ. “Its these kinds of things that need to be stopped. This is a nationwide problem. Hopefully we’re involved early enough to put an end to this. There is legal representation for the community. There will be legal consequences if this decision goes forward,” said Brook.
CEEJ are prepared to take this issue to court if the council decides to reopen the White Street Landfill.
Former District 2 Councilmember Goldie Wells, who is leading the group, stated the citizens wanted to know the cost to the city. “We haven’t heard any true facts about how much this would cost the city or save the city,” said Wells. She added, “Council isn’t listening to the people.”
Eighty-one year old Greensboro resident Raymond Neal, of Nealtown Road, spoke to the group and told a brief history of the area. According to Neal, his father sold 20 acres of his own land to the city for a landfill in 1952.
The League of Women Voters has also gotten involved in the fight and the organization has held meetings of their own to help find a solution. They are suggesting that the city extend its contract with Republic Services and continue transporting trash to Montgomery County for the next two years, while the city investigates acceptable and sustainable alternatives for waste management.
Brook noted that during his research on the landfill and its surrounding communities, he found that African Americans and Latinos make up 47 percent of Greensboro’s population; however, African Americans and Latinos make up 80 percent of the community surrounding the White Street Landfill.
“This is a short term budgetary decision that’s going to have long term consequences,” said Brook, who advised the group that while identifying problems to the council they must also identify possible solutions.
The group is continuing to speak at city council meetings and writing letters. Council is scheduled to approve a solid waste agreement at the June 7 council meeting.
CEEJ will also be holding a rally at the White Street Landfill on April 15 at 12:15 p.m. For more information visit www.theCEEJ.org.

Source: Carolina Peacemaker

From http://www.carolinapeacemaker.com/News/Article/Article.asp?NewsID=108253&sID=4&ItemSource=L