After flip-flopping on a previous unanimous vote against the landfill, it seems the Russell Co.Com mission was a little wary about getting the public involved in the Landfill issue judging from metal detectors and the significant presence of law enforcement at today's standing room only meeting. I'd like to ask the Commissioners to try not to be so full of themselves. It's not personal! This isn't about you! By the way, Did anyone check out the Sheriff's private ride! Talk about an ego.

Speaking for the Commission, Peggy Martin explained the rules of the meeting as set up by the commission members. The only citizens allowed to voice opinions were those who signed a "sign-in sheet" which most citizen attendees knew nothing about. There would be time allotted to those for the landfill, for those against, and those who were neutral.

Commissioner Epps took center stage by verbally spanking her voters and the news media by accusing them and what she angrily referred to as "outsiders" for meddling and blowing the issue out of proportion. The truth is, the only so-called outsiders were experts on issues of this nature who spoke for both sides. Obviously irritated, Commissioner Epps then explained that she would not give a respond on this issue until she votes Wednesday night. One would think that after a unanimous vote of "no" in 2009 we would know where the commission stands. I hope the voters she represents have the same forgiving spirit she claims to possess. After all, they had over a year to gather the facts and think this through. The vast majority attending the meeting were from Phenix City and Russell Co. and when Commissioner Lee asked for a show of hands of all those in the room, the result was about 3 to1 against the landfill which was acknowledged by Commissioner Lee.

The show stopper was Commissioner Pugh trying to side step the issue and avoid stepping on any of the B-staff toes by giving them what sounded like his blessing on a private, non-regulated landfill.

Most everyone feels that private land owners should be free to do as they wish on their land as long as it has no negative impact on the community and those who live down-steam. The big question is, why at this time, locate another landfill so close to the river when studies show we have 318 years on existing landfills? And, if this goes through, who is going to monitor the construction and running of this facility? Rest assured it wont be the County Commission. After all, these are the same people who buy around 800,000 gallons of water a day from Phenix City. Those are the figures from the water Authority's web-page. Did the Commission or anyone else bother to tell you Phenix City was in violation of EPA standards and regulations 88 times between 2003 and 2008? Most of these violations appear to be related to testing, monitoring and reporting according to the data we read on the EPA enviro-facts site. Look at it for yourself. We may be reading this wrong! Voters simply want to know. Who's gonna mind the store?

If the owners of this property are really interested in what is best for the community as opposed to making a quick buck, maybe they would consider donating this land to the city and county in an effort to preserve that area's historical and Native American significance.

Mr.Sorrell, who spoke in favor of the landfill, talked about the need for competition in all aspects of the market place. Maybe he should give that same speech to the PC./Russell Co. Chamber of Commerce and mention the CATV. situation in that area?