Pro-landfill group will meet Thursday

A group known as C.A.S.E. (Cherokee Advocates for a Strong Environment and Economy) has scheduled a community meeting for Thursday at 7 p.m. at the Stephenson Dining Hall on the campus of Limestone College to - according to co-chairman Dickie Moorhead - differentiate fact from fiction concerning Waste Management's plans.

"We just want to make sure that people are aware of the facts," Moorhead said. "Basically, we are a committee that supports the landfill. There has been a lot of miscommunication out there, such as they are going to bury hazardous and nuclear waste there. But it will be more of a recycling center. They aren't going to be putting a lot of stuff into the ground."

"There have been a lot of scare tactics out there," he added.

That statement was likely directed at CLOUT (Cherokee Landfill Opposition United Together), an organization which was created to oppose Waste Management's plans.

Moorhead, who will be represented at the meeting by his son Patrick because of a prior business meeting, said the proposed 3Cycle will provide a much-needed economic boost for the county.

"We have companies closing and we need money coming in," he said.

Waste Management officials have said its recycling and landfill project would generate close to $500,000 in property taxes and roughly $2 million in tipping fees annually to the county.

Gaffney's Bob Peeler, manager of community and municipal relations for Waste Management, said he has been asked to give a presentation at Thursday's meeting.

Moorhead said he is doing this because of his concern for the county, not as a mouthpiece for Waste Management.

Waste Management will make its formal presentation to county council Dec. 2 in the main courtroom at the Cherokee County Courthouse. Council will not vote on the proposal at that time.