Since both sides have begun to take shots at each other, it's only appropriate that a group who wants to stop Waste Management's proposed recycling center and landfill has scheduled an informational meeting today at the National Guard Armory.

Cherokee Landfill Opposition United Together (CLOUT) spokesperson Joan Wheeler has accused Waste Management of having a shaky history with regulators, including paying out $5.7 million in noncompliance environmental fines and $91.5 million in federal court judgments from 1991 to 2000.

She also said the company's proposed landfill might pose an environmental risk to the scenic Broad River.

Another CLOUT member, Derek McAbee, claimed at Thursday's Cherokee County Council meeting the proposed landfill would pose health risks for McKowns Mountain residents. He claimed there are links between landfill contaminants and elevated risks of bladder cancer, leukemia and low birth weights.

He also attacked one of Waste Management's biggest selling points — its recycling center, by saying the current tight economic times would

Grievance decrease the profitability of recyclables for Waste Management.

CLOUT's latest charges finally drew a blunt retort from Waste Management Manager of Community and Municipal Relations Bob Peeler, who accused CLOUT of making untrue statements.

"CLOUT finally said something truthful about 3Cycle when their spokesman said recycling would be really great if it's done," Peeler said. "That is why Waste Management wants to invest millions of dollars in the latest technology to reduce, recycle, and reuse waste more efficiently than ever before. Local people would build and work in the most modern single stream recycling and construction and demolition debris recycling center in America.

"CLOUT is running a negative campaign trying to prey on people's fears with outright falsehoods," Peeler added. "At the appropriate time, we look forward to presenting our factual, reasoned proposal to county council and the people of Cherokee County."

Wheeler said today's informational meeting is for the benefit of county residents who haven't been able to attend CLOUT's presentations at council meetings. She said several speakers are scheduled.

"It's an opportunity if you want to know something or know more about it," Wheeler said.

The armory has a capacity for 250 people. However, a campaign stop in 2000 by thenpresidential hopeful George W. Bush drew more than three times that number.

Wheeler said she has no idea how many people will attend today's event.

"I have no expectations," she said.

The meeting will begin at 7 p.m.

The armory is located on Hampshire Drive near Luther Vaughan Elementary School.