Have you ever read an article in the newspaper that instantly made you feel concerned? That is exactly what happened to me this morning when I read an article in the News & Record that talked about the White Street Landfill. Apparently the council discussed the landfill at length yesterday during a briefing session and the conversation about reopening it once again came about. I wrote about the landfill a while back and why I oppose reopening it to municipal waste.
From the News & Record article,
“The council might hold a public meeting with residents who live around the northeast Greensboro landfill to test neighbors’ opinions about reopening it.”
Test neighbors’? A test is not needed. I can tell you, without a doubt, that an overwhelming majority of the District 2 residents do not want the White Street Landfill reopened.
The News & Record article ended with the following quote from the Mayor, “The people who live in the neighborhood have endured this landfill for more than 50 years,” Johnson said. “It’s time to table that discussion once and for all.”
{ 11 comments }
Hi Ryan,
Actually that last quote was from the other Johnson — Ralph Johnson. Sorry about the confusion.
-Amanda
Thanks Amanda. I crossed out the bit about the Mayor.
Hi Ryan- I reread your explanation for opposing the use of our landfill. Staff acknowledged yesterday after some prompting, that after some stream mitigation, as NC DENR has reported, we have 40 to 60 years of life left in the landfill. Our trash production is down 22% in the last 6 months, but we have not enjoyed a dime of savings from cost reductions because we use the transfer station model. We pay for 18 surplus trailers by contract that sit idly with no usage. The public does not know that we are bleeding 4 to 14 million a year because we abandoned the enterprise system and like accounting when this decision was made. Note, the most conservative estimate of wasted precious resources, by people that want to keep the current system, is 4 MILLION!!!! I believe in being sensitive to residents, greater recycling effort, AND using the multimillion dollar investment we have made @ White St. These goals are not mutually exclusive. Don’t fall for the argument on behalf of a dozen homeowners and uninformed politicians, and steal millions from 250,000 citizens over the next two generations. The experts all say one thing about trash, “the owner of the landfill controls their financial destiny.”
Mike,
Bob’s comment about the two to three years of space left stands corrected. But what does the stream mitigation you referenced cost? What other options have been looked at? If we require recycling at all apartment complexes the amount of trash could be further reduced. If trash waste is reduced the contracts for the 18 trucks, some of which you say sit idly by, could be redone reducing costs.
I’m very clear on the costs of hauling trash – and it isn’t pretty, but the decision was made to not use White Street for municipal waste and I think the decision should stand. I’d prefer for Greensboro to not be known as a city that flip flops on decisions of this nature.
In regards to this statement, “Don’t fall for the argument on behalf of a dozen homeowners,” I can assure you that the number in opposition is far great than 12. I really appreciate your comment and look forward to hearing your thoughts and ideas on other possible solutions.
Ryan
PS – Who are the uninformed politicians you referenced?
Conncilman Barber has a pretty good take on the subject matter– you’d do well to listen to him and not pander to a handfull of voters. And remember: I live in District 2.
Thanks Billy. I have lots of additional questions that need to be answered on the issue, as well as what alternatives are. I do appreciate your comment.
Ryan
This is another example of “Political Correctness”. We are spending millons of extra dollars to placate the minority. Pure stupidity.
Ryan,
I have a feeling that you are a conservative by the company that you keep, but remember the district that you are running for. barber and billy have little respect for the intelligence of black folks. barber proves it twice a month, like Kanye West said about bush during Katrina, “george bush don’t like !!@@ people,” that goes for barber also.
There are black people who visits the blogs, so don’t think what is written on here will be ignored. That is already suspicion that you are a plant by the rhinonuts to take over a black district.
Although you are a registered repub, I am trying to keep an open mind about your candidacy. So don’t get complacent because no one has come about to make a run for district 2 other than you.
This city is racially polarize and those two are primarily the reason for it and I hope you are not a wade or a rakestraw in sheeps clothing.
Once again, I am committed to keeping an open mind, but I will be watching you and linking this blog to me email list.
ps
That was an interesting interview you did with barber where he stated that he doesn’t believe in programs that are race and gender base to even the playing field. It was EXTREemely interesting.
Black Woman VOTER
Black Woman VOTER,
Thanks for your comment. Could you first inform me as to the company that I keep? My friends represent an extremely diverse group of individuals of various ages, races and political beliefs. I am extremely aware that I am running in District 2 as well as the diversity within the district.
Your comment about taking over a black district saddens me. From where I sit, there is no taking over a district. My only goal is to help take District 2 to a new level and improving the life for those who live in the district, as well as Greensboro as a whole.
I am very much my own person and hope you will try to understand that I only have good intentions. Many District 2 residents are excited about my candidacy and look forward to my proactive efforts making a difference – I hope you can someday feel the same way.
Should you like to get to know me a bit better, feel free to email me: ryan at ryanshell.com. I’m happy you will be keeping track of this site and would urge you to share with others that you know.
Ryan
PS – I am not running an active campaign blog in hopes that the information is ignored. I’m trying to be extremely transparent and only hope to create an open line of communication.
I appreciate your comments. You stated that you want to take the district to the next level. What is that exactly? What can you do that the previous District 2 representatives haven’t done or couldn’t do? What makes you different other than skin color?
As a progressive, black woman who votes, what can you tell me about your candidacy to make me feel comfortable about voting for you? As I said, I will try to keep an open mind. But I hope you are not running in District 2 just to prove a point or be the saviour in a prominently black district..
I honestly do not want you to feel that I am being combative toward you. I just want answers.
Black Woman Voter,
The district as a whole is quite large and the “level” comment can be taken in many different directions. To keep it simple I can highlight one of many items such as the plethora of rundown houses. My goal is to proactively stay on top of the issue and make sure we are making every effort to have the houses rehabilitated or demolished. They do nothing but cast a negative light on neighborhoods and I firmly believe they foster criminal activity. I’m not saying any previous council rep couldn’t or hasn’t attempted to do this, but I can site houses that have been in the same condition for nearly two years… which leads me to believe that nothing has been proactively done to fix the problem. But again, this is just one of many items – I just wanted to give you an example.
I have a ton of energy (ask anyone that knows me) and am fully committed to bettering District 2 and collaborating with the necessary folks to get things done.
What can I say to make you feel comfortable? I’m not really sure I can say any one thing, and am not sure I want to go that route. I’d rather have you follow my campaign, pay attention to my efforts and then make that decision on your own.
Again, feel free to email me.
Ryan
Ryan
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