North Carolina Citizen Victory

   In a short but decisive battle with Waste Management the Citizens Against Regional Dumping (CARD)] gained rejection by the Halifax County Commission of WMI's dump proposal. The Board of Commissioners issued a short statement on December 5, 2000 removing the public hearing and action from their agenda. "It is the intent of the Halifax County Commissioners not to consider the proposal further."

   CARD held a rally and press conference on the courthouse steps on November 21st. They stated their refusal "to allow their land to be taken for an expanded landfill site." In addition the Blue Ridge Environmental Defense League presented a report on existing groundwater contamination from Waste Management's closed solid waste landfill. The old dump and the proposed dump are in Aurelian Springs, North Carolina.

   "We are not going to sit idly by and allow our county to become the dumping site of the world," stated Gary Grant at the rally. Doris Aycock of Aurelian Springs said, "We are asking all citizens to join this fight ... to save our land, our homes and any hopes for the future of our children. Let's unite in this fight. Let's stand tall and be counted. This is our land. This is our heritage." The commissioners canceled the public hearing and WMI was stopped!