LETTERS TO THE EDITOR: OPPOSING THE SALE OF JACKSON LANDFILL TO REGIONAL OPERATOR

To the Editor

I am one member of a group of citizens that is representative of residents of the 15 homes on County Road 341 and other concerned neighbors.

I want to try to inform our friends and residents of The City of Jackson as to why we are opposing the sale of the Jackson landfill to a regional or private operator. I sent a letter to each Council Member on January 25, 1994 telling them what we have been putting up with while the City has been operating the landfill and why we think conditions will get worse if they sell it to a major corporation with no community responsibility or concern for local residents. We condoned the conditions and said little about them because of our loyalty to the City of Jackson and our pride of living in the Jackson area. I won't go into the specific details in this letter, but our lifestyle, health, security and property values are being threatened.

We're concerned about the massive increase in road traffic on county road 341 along with the resulting road damage and the debris and nails that damage our tires. We're also concerned about the large semi-trucks loaded with waste that could have some toxic material hidden in the trash. These trucks would be traveling within 600 feet of our public schools and within 60 feet of Immaculate Conception School. Another concern is the trash that blows onto our property, sometimes all the way to our home. Probably, the largest concern to the most of our group is the possible contamination of the drinking water from our private wells.

We are asking the City Council to close the landfill. We have sacrificed for the City for 15 years, now it is time for the City of sacrifice something for us in return. The City administration tells us that they will take care of all of our concerns by contractual agreement with the purchaser. We feel that if the City couldn't clean up its own act in 15 years, then why should we think it can clean it up by contractual agreement with the purchaser. Safeguards such as:

Road -- We prefer that the purchasing company build it's own road from a state highway, thereby not using any of the county roads. If not, any road that is used should be built to the same standards as State Highway 34, including all bridges. Road and bridge improvements to be made in calendar year 1994.

Debris -- Keep all debris off public road and all private property. Any time trash of any kind begins to blow off of landfill property the dumping should be terminated for the rest of that day or until the strong winds subside, which ever is later. Specify the amount that we will be paid for picking up trash or debris or any kind from our private property.

Well Water Contamination -- There are numerous private water wells within the vicinity of the landfill. My well is about one-fourth mile from the landfill. There are many wells within a four mile radius of the landfill, including one of Jackson's wells supplying drinking water to the residents of Jackson. A seven mile radius would include wells supplying water to Millersville and Gordonville pubic water districts and all of Jackson's wells. The experts tell us this shouldn't be a problem, nothing should happen. But then Chernobyl shouldn't have happened either. Three Mile Island shouldn't have happened. Times Beach shouldn't have happened.

Who do we trust, the experts or nature? Think of what a major earthquake could do to the landfill safeguards and to the underground water resources of our region. I don't think the Jackson City administration can guarantee my neighbors, the users of Millersville and Gordonville public water, nor the residents of Jackson that any of our water won't become contaminated from the landfill. If the City pursues this sale they should be responsible for the enforcement of the contract and should establish a means of resource for those of us affected. I would recommend a superfund.

GLEN BIRK

Jackson