PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release
January 3, 2008

Contact:
Frances Blalock 336-364-2717
Pat Hill 336-364-4452

PC PRIDE Files Legal Challenge to Special Use Permit

On January 2, 2008, PC PRIDE (People Rising in Defense of Ecology), a chapter of the Blue Ridge Environmental Defense League, filed a legal challenge in superior court against the December 3rd decision made by the Person County Commissioners. The commissioners voted to grant a special use permit to Republic Services of North Carolina LLC for an expansion of the Upper Piedmont Environmental Landfill.

This action is being brought because the members are presently and will be in the future, directly and adversely affected by the operation of the existing landfill and its expansion. The petition cites the failure of the commissioners to conduct a fair and unbiased hearing as required by state law.

Some of the major causes for this action are:
1. The expansion is not in harmony with the existing agricultural and residential uses in the Mt. Tirzah Community.
2. The proposed expansion will constitute a nuisance to the members of PC PRIDE and other members of the public.
3. The property owners adjacent to and in close proximity to the landfill and proposed expansion have suffered loss of property value and an interference with health, safety and general welfare.
4. PC PRIDE members were not given a fair and unbiased hearing.

Speaking for PC PRIDE, Frances Blalock said, “PC PRIDE membership is representative of citizens throughout the county working to find alternative and more progressive ways of handling the county’s waste resources. They have been working diligently to protect the environment in Person County. The vision of this organization is to identify activities in the county that are detrimental to the health and general sense of well being of all residents.”

Recent laws regarding waste reduction through reusing, reducing, and especially recycling brings a challenge to each county, and PC PRIDE challenges each household, school, office and business to audit their waste streams and change their waste habits.

The constant pressure on the waste industry is to awaken them along with the county residents to the reality that the current method of disposing of our county’s waste is antiquated, a primitive dump and cover process, and that precious resources are being destroyed that should be sustained for future needs.

PC PRIDE will continue to work for Person County and its citizens.

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View Court Petition