Joan Wheeler figures she's won some battles, and lost one, but still has the energy for one more.

"I've never tried to run away from my battles," she said, "but I've never sought them (either)."

Battles just seem to have a way of finding her and now Wheeler finds herself as a spokeswoman for McKown's Mountain residents and others opposed to Waste Management Inc.'s plans for a landfill and recycling center.

Tonight, Wheeler plans to be present for the Cherokee County Council meeting in case the opportunity presents itself to give an opposing viewpoint on Waste Management's plans, though the company's plans for McKown's Mountain were not listed on the council's agenda.

At the moment, Wheeler concedes the opposition is far from organized but she hopes that will change. While a date hasn't been set yet, Wheeler expects there will be a community meeting in the next week or two.

The retired school teacher, who once served as chairwoman of the Cherokee County Republican Party, had previously served as a leading opponent against previous plans to dam the Broad River, to locate a garbage incinerator near McKown's Mountain, and expand Cherokee County School District school buildings.

The dam and incinerator weren't built, but the schools were expanded.

Though Wheeler doesn't live in McKown's Mountain, she said she was approached by residents to help organize a response.

While Wheeler was not behind it, a petition drive already is underway in McKown's Mountain and it's expected that the petition will be presented to county council, if not on Wednesday, in the near future.

Two people who signed the petition, but asked not to be identified, said they weren't sure who started the petition drive.

Based on past experiences, Wheeler said she knows that an opposition campaign will likely be time-consuming and difficult. She's not afraid of taking it on, though. "I'm old and decrepit," she said with a laugh. "But I can still talk."