Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Gurdon mayor still opposed to landfill

Despite efforts made by Gurdon City Mayor Clayton Franklin, land has been purchased by the Southwest Central Regional Solid Waste Management District to a household waste landfill.

Franklin has been against the landfill since it was first mentioned.

Garland County Judge and District Board Chairman Larry Williams reportedly said the board was trying to placate Gurdon's mayor because he was against having the landfill in Gurdon.

Franklin commented that they would to if the landfill was near Hot Springs.

The proposed landfill site is 246 acres owned by International Paper Co. about three miles north of Gurdon.

It is believed by Bill Fletcher, the district's engineer, because most of the district's waste is generated in the northernmost part of the three-county district, geology and the cost push the best location to the south.

It will cost $4.43 more for garbage to be transported to the Gurdon site instead of another proposed site near Jones Mill.

However, the soil content in the area of Jones Mill has saved the people in the community and surrounding area from the site.

Water travels through sandy soil five times the rate of clay. In Gurdon, the ground has the right amount of clay just suitable enough for a class I landfill.

If the landfill was placed in Jones Mill, the district would be out more money for daily operating cost due to trucks having to haul in clay from Clark County on a daily basis.

Franklin has commented several times at Gurdon City Council meetings that he felt the board was interested in Gurdon due to it's population of minorities and low-income families.

"We don't want a landfill down here," said Franklin.

Franklin even disagreed with Judge Williams when he said Franklin should look at the landfill as an economic tool since it will provide jobs and revenue.

Three fellow Clark County officials voted Wednesday with the board to see if the purchase of the land would be made. Franklin was one who voted and he voted no.

However, Arkadelphia City Manager Barbara Coplen and Clark County Judge Floyd "Buddy" Manning, voted for the purchase.

More is expected to unfold with the landfill in the next few months.

Hopes are the city council and Franklin will be able to make the final decision as to whether the landfill will be constructed in the Gurdon area or not.