While it was accurately reported in The Daily Record that “Landfill neighbors don’t want facility reopened,” this is an issue that is going to affect all of the residents, businesses and visitors of Holmes County… not just the “neighbors” of the landfill… for many years to come.

The simple fact is that the Holmes County Landfill is an environmental problem that has to be solved. And while the current commissioners didn’t cause this problem, it’s important they solve it the right way. There were a lot of questions raised at Wednesday’s meeting about their plan and process to solve the problem. And a lot of questions about their plan to expand the currently-closed landfill remain unanswered.

It’s very difficult to understand the commissioners’ contention that Holmes County will be well-served by opening a large regional landfill. It’s hard to understand how the county will be well-served by importing trash from surrounding states and counties. And, clearly, the businesses and the residents of Holmes County cannot possibly benefit from the damaged roads, increased heavy traffic and the foul air that will come with an expanded landfill.

Our best solution will be the one that properly (and cost-effectively) caps and closes the old faulty landfill as soon as possible. It’s important that the commissioners help us meet that objective.

Steve Drongowski

Millersburg