The Killbuck Concerned Citizens Association sent a message to JM Corp. on Tuesday: We are not going away.
Cars spilled over from the parking lot onto the grass surrounding Killbuck Elementary School as more than 200 supporters turned out to oppose the Mallard Lake landfill that could soon occupy the land across the street.
Those in attendance gathered at dozens of round tables or leaned against the brick walls of the cafeteria as KCCA president Helen Wean announced her resignation and challenged the next generation of KCCA leadership to take over.
“I retire, as of today,” said Wean, who led the group for 10 years. “But we’re looking for the next president and vice president and secretary and treasurer. None of us want to see this organization die. We’ve been fighting for 27 years in this community.”
The group was founded in 1979 by community members who opposed JM Corp. founder Ralph Reed’s attempt to create the landfill. Now, with negotiations under way between JM Corp. and the Indiana Department of Environmental Management, the KCCA is pulling out all the stops in a last-ditch effort to keep the landfill out of its community.
Wean also lamented the breakdown in communication between the KCCA and Madison County government. When she opened the floor to public comment, Anderson Mayor Kevin Smith took the opportunity to say that the landfill issue goes beyond Richland Township.
“I opposed this landfill 15-20 years ago and I continue to oppose the landfill today,” Smith said. “The last thing I want to see is an action that detracts from the city of Anderson’s ability to market itself. I assure you, we are pursuing several angles for working on this issue.”
Community members and dignitaries voiced their concerns over the economic and environmental impact Mallard Lake would have.
Tony Rogers, vice president of the Anderson Board of Aviation Commissioners, explained how the landfill would hurt the Anderson Municipal Airport.
“Anderson Airport has taken a stand against Mallard Lake because it conflicts with FAA regulations,” Rogers said. “I have contacted FAA regulations officers and they have assured me that if Mallard Lake comes to pass, Anderson Airport will no longer be an FAA-compliant airport. We stand to lose several million dollars a year from the FAA.”
Before the meeting, a group of Killbuck Elementary School students read from essays written in opposition to the landfill. They also presented a check for $1,000 to the KCCA.
New KCCA officers and board members will not be elected until the group’s next meeting, but Highland High School teacher Sheryl Myers took the opportunity to nominate herself for Wean’s vacated seat as president.
“Madison County has already had a landfill in Orestes,” she said. “It’s not our turn to have a second landfill.
“The spirit of this county is so great and we’re not going to let this landfill in here.”
Others in the audience, both board members and newcomers, expressed similar sentiments, wishing to propel the KCCA into its next phase.
“Don’t give up,” state Rep. Jack Lutz, R-District 35, said. “Because 27 years is too much of an investment.”
Local News
Related Photos
-
THB Photo
-
THB Photo
Discussion
Hundreds rally at KCCA meeting
Landfill opponents will reorganize with new officers
- Local News
-
-
Humane Society volunteers call event a success
Jennifer Bridges hunkered down into the concrete kennel with her bunkmate for the night — pit bull Jake.
-
Democrats unhappy with redrawn county districts
New County Council district lines approved late last year have drawn the ire of county Democrats who complain that the changes were made without public input.
-
Close-out sale draws shoppers before Sears leaves city
The end is near for Sears in Anderson.
-
Analysis: Exceptional voice seemed lost in Houston's excessive fame
Whitney Houston’s numerous comeback attempts never gelled into anything the public cared about.
-
First Merchants takes over Shelby County Bank
First Merchants Bank, which has eight branches in Madison County and is based in Muncie, has reached an agreement with the FDIC to take over Shelby County Bank.
-
Business Briefs: Feb. 12
A compilation of business news items from the Madison County area:
-
Arrest Log: Feb. 12
Arrests made by Madison County law enforcement on Friday and Saturday, based on Madison County Jail records. Charges are recommended by arresting officers but are not final until the Madison County prosecutor reviews the case and files official charges.
-
Wall Street atmosphere alive at AU
Surrounded by a stock market ticker and television screens showing the latest stock prices and world financial news, Federico Boscaini purchased 230 shares of Chevron stock for more than $24,000. He did it in a financial stock trading room at Anderson University — and with university funds.
-
Candidates are in for May primaries
Friday was the deadline for candidates to file to run for office in the primaries, and 10 more people signed up before the noon cutoff.
-
Man sentenced to 40 years for sex with teen
A man convicted of having a sexual relationship with a minor was sentenced Monday to 40 years in prison.
- More Local News Headlines
-
