C.A.S.E. tactics irk councilman

A Cherokee County councilman was unapologetically blunt in his reaction to a recent pro-Waste Management mailing that suggested the county would have to hike taxes or cut essential services if it rejected the company's controversial proposal.

The post cards said that county residents will have three choices: to have their taxes increased to make up for an expected financial shortfall; to cut services, such as the county-owned nursing home and law enforcement; or to accept the proposal for the landfill.

Waste Management wants to build a recycling center and landfill on a 1,500-acre site in the McKowns Mountain area. Led by Mathis, council voted Monday not to amend its solid waste plan, effectively halting the company's plans.

"I reject Waste Management sending out (the mailing) that the county is going to cut services, close the Peachtree Centre (the county's elderly care facility)," Mathis said. "They tried to scare people by saying we would cut services or raise taxes. This county council has always been conservative (in financial matters). I resent strongly (Waste Management) stooping that low!"

Sissy Brock, co-chairman of the pro-Waste Management group C.A.S.E. (Cherokee Advocates for a Environment and Economy) said even though she didn't see the contents of the postcard before it was mailed, her group would have to take responsibility for it because it contained a section county residents could fill out to join her group.

"I would love to say that I didn't have anything to do with it but with our number on there that would be a little stupid," Brock said.

Brock defended the contents, saying it contained claims she has made before.

Brock said she has no idea who received the postcards, but they were mailed by the company's public relations firm in Columbia.