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Landfill equation more than just math

From In a recent editorial column, Yes! Weekly voices their opposition to reopening the White Street Landfill to municipal solid waste, encouraging a regional solution…

Potential landfill lawsuit

From Video coverage of the White Street Landfill environmental justice issue in Greensboro, NC. Video coverage of the White Street Landfill environmental justice issue in…

Redistricting without a map

From NC Senate Redistricting Committee Chair Bob Rucho says that the state redistricting process is more transparent than ever before. But Rucho does not plan…

Public weighs in on congressional redistricting process

Follow the link above for video coverage. By Heather Moore RALEIGH – North Carolina lawmakers are working to redraw legislative and congressional district lines, which historically has been a very political process. It happens every 10 years after census numbers are released. Wednesday, the public got their first chance to tell lawmakers what they expect of the redistricting process and the new lines. Redrawing district lines impacts how many lawmakers represent an area and exactly which area they're representing. In the past, it could even play a role in who would win the election by creating districts of like-minded voters, a political tactic called gerrymandering. “My concerns are that minorities will be packed into certain districts under several gerrymandering techniques that have been used in the past,” said Jessica Holmes with the Alliance for Fair Redistricting and Minority Voting Rights. But state lawmakers say they're taking extra steps this year to make the redistricting process as fair and open as possible. “The gerrymandering as it's been in the past has pretty much been eliminated by the fact the courts have responded, especially the North Carolina Supreme Court,” explained Senator Bob Rucho, a Republican representing Mecklenburg County and Chairman of the Redistricting Committee. “There are certain times we're going to have districts that may be spread out but there's a reason for it legally, whether they follow the Voting Rights Act or whether they follow whole county or whatever it may be, but legally there's a reason for that occurring.” Lawmakers are holding at least twelve public hearings all across the state to get input about the redistricting process. Concerned citizens say they appreciate the opportunity to participate. “I'm very excited they have spread these public hearings across the state,” Holmes said. “I'm happy about this process. I'm happy about this opportunity to come here and give my public input.”

Expect landfill lawsuit, city told

By AMANDA LEHMERT Staff Writer GREENSBORO — An attorney working for northeast Greensboro residents warned the city on Tuesday that expanding the White Street Landfill would hurt communities of color — opening the city to legal challenges that could prevent it from getting landfill permits. The Southern Coalition for Social Justice, a Durham-based nonprofit, is providing free assistance to Citizens for Environmental and Social Justice, a group of residents who oppose reopening the landfill to household trash. In 2006, the city stopped sending household trash to White Street, although it still is permitted to do so. Residents could challenge current or future landfill permits under a law that allows the state to deny permits that have a disproportionate adverse impact on minority or low-income communities, Chris Brook, a staff attorney for the coalition, wrote to City Manager Rashad Young and City Council members. Brook already has submitted a letter to the N.C. Department of Environmental and Natural Resources, opposing the city’s request to renew its current permit to bury household and other trash at White Street for five years. That permit is pending state approval. Young said the city is reviewing the law mentioned by Brook to see how it might affect the city’s ability to get permits. The City Council is considering three proposals that would expand the landfill. Brook said the council has not fully considered health, environmental or economic consequences. “Reopening White Street to municipal solid waste and potentially expanding it would have negative public health and environmental consequences without addressing Greensboro’s need for a long-term, fiscally responsible waste management plan,” Brook wrote. The northeast Greensboro citizens group approached the coalition earlier this year for help on the landfill. In the letter, Brook said 7,550 residents live within a one-mile radius of White Street — and about 85 percent of those residents are African American or Hispanic, citing 2010 census figures. Brook said that could be the basis for a civil rights complaint or a landfill permit challenge. The solid waste law says the state “shall deny” a permit if it has a disproportionate impact on minority or low-income communities. Brook’s letter also argued that a White Street expansion could “crowd out” business opportunities for the area. That possible economic impact — an issue that other Greensboro residents have raised — is something Young said is difficult to calculate. Brook also said cost savings from using the landfill would be short-term. The only way White Street could produce long-term savings is if the city expanded it beyond the current dumping space. “The life of the landfill is short. This is not a good option,” said Goldie Wells, a former City Council member who has been leading the anti-White Street charge. Brook accuses the City Council of plowing forward with plans to expand White Street before the health consequences are fully explored. The state requires the city to test groundwater at the landfill, capture the gas that comes out of it and undergo regular inspections. “We’re meeting the requirements that the state has put before us,” City Field Operations Director Dale Wyrick said. “I am not trying to minimize the concerns because there are community concerns, but we are doing our due diligence."

Greensboro residents argue against re-opening White Street Landfill with letter

The Southern Coalition for Social Justice, working with the Greensboro Citizens for Economic and Environmental Justice, today submitted a letter to the Greensboro City Manager and City Council opposing plans to re-open and potentially expand the White Street Landfill. The letter demonstrates re-opening this landfill would disproportionately burden African-American Greensboro residents with the negative environmental and public health impact associated with municipal solid wastes landfills. Re-opening the landfill would also stifle future economic growth in the surrounding community and subject Greensboro to potential legal action. To read the letter from SCSJ staff attorney Chris Brook click here. Check out The Greensboro Citizens for Economic and Environmental Justice website here.