Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Smithton residents voice opposition toward proposed landfill

Gurdon City Mayor Clayton Franklin, Clark County Judge elect Ron Daniels, Justice of the Peace Mike Cox and Patricia Herron from Mike Ross' office along with several members of the Smithton Community met at the Eastern Star Baptist Church on Wednesday night to discuss the proposed landfill to be placed in the community.

The Southwest Arkansas Solid Waste Management District, the organization in charge of the decision as to where the landfill will be placed, has used several tactics to "sugar coat" the landfill idea.

One of the arguments made is the new jobs offered at the landfill for the community.

However, Mayor Franklin told the crowd the JoAnn landfill has two employees. The Gurdon location will have four at the most.

"They are trying to make it sound better than it is and we know that," said Franklin.

"They are also using the fact the landfill will be bringing in around $5.8 million a year. This may be true however, our community or area will not benefit from it," he said.

Franklin said it is a well known fact most landfill, almost 99 percent of them, are located in minority areas. This is how Smithton was allegedly picked.

"You're not going to find a landfill being located next to a Country Club or mansions," Franklin told the crowd.

With Garland County's judge being chairman of the landfill committee, no sites in Garland County were even considered.

Franklin said, "We still have two shots at beating this thing. Either we can go at it from an environmental standpoint or we can hope they have trouble trying to get a permit for such a facility. I would also encourage anyone who has friends or family members on the Arkadelphia City Board, that you get in touch with them and tell them how you feel. This will help is somewhat."

It was reported International Paper Company offered to donate land in Joan to expand the existing landfill.

Franklin said the idea made more economic sense to him and he didn't understand their reasoning in not doing it.

One member of the community said the majority of the garbage was generated in Garland and Hot Springs County and wondered why they didn't want to deal with it.

County Judge-elect, Ron Daniels, who will be joining the SWAWM committee after the first of the year said, "I'm not for it unless they can prove to me it is beneficial and I haven't seen that yet. They have to prove to me the landfill can't go anywhere else, because I believe it can."

Daniels reported Clark County Judge Floyd "Buddy" Manning stating, "Tell them at the meeting that we are going to buy the landfill land from IP but we are not going to use it for that purpose."

Several community members stated their disgust with Manning who reportedly told community members not to be concerned with the landfill idea because he was against it and would do anything he could to keep it from going in.

However, Manning has made no attempt to show opposition to the landfill and has continuously voted in it's favor along with Arkadelphia City Manager Barbara Coplen.

Franklin said he would like to see the landfill go to a more central location of the district such as Jones Mill.

It is his contention the Jones Mill location would not be close to any housing.

"It will only cost $3 a ton to haul garbage to Jones Mill. It will cost $8 to haul to Gurdon. Now I am not a rocket scientist, but I can figure out that $5 is a lot of money to waste," said Franklin.

Roosevelt House, a member of the Smithton Community, asked Franklin, "Who is going to get this $5.8 million we are hearing about?"

"Well the board will receive it and it will be dispersed as the majority vote from the board decides on," said Franklin.

"So will it benefit us in any way?" asked House.

"Probably not," said Franklin.

"Well I don't like that one bit. What are they going to do with all that money. Someone has to be getting it and it has to be benefitting somebody like the seven board member," said House.

"Well it's not going to go to the board members because I am one of them and I am against this thing 100 percent so I must not be receiving my cut," said Franklin laughingly.

Herron, with Mike Ross' office, told House the landfill would be a non-profit organization.

House said, "No way sister. You can't tell me that something that is bringing in $5.8 million isn't going to pad someone's pocket."

Herron said, "Well the seven board members will spend the money as needed for different waste management and recycling projects.

House said, "Well if they aren't getting any money out of it then why are they so big on doing it? I am going to talk to the people in charge of this thing and then Smithton is going to O.J. Simpson, we are going to take them on a car chase."

Daniels went on to thank the people who have called in on the subject of the landfill.

"I am not in office yet, but have received several phone calls on this matter and I appreciate everyone's concern. I want everyone to know they can call me at any time and I will help in any way I can," he said.

Herron asked everyone present why no one had contacted their office before now.

The community members present said they were told by Judge Manning at the last meeting he would vote against it and take care of the problem.

"We all believed him," said one community member.

A list of local politicians was handed out in order for the community members to contact whomever they needed to and try to change the Arkadelphia City's board to vote against the landfill.

Justice of the Peace Mike Cox said, "These people on this list need to be bombarded with phone calls."

The list included Arkadelphia City Board members, James Calhoun (870) 246-2107, Ann Sanders (870) 246-2893, Dick Rudolph (870) 246-7806 and Ann Kelly (870) 230-8607; Arkadelphia City Mayor Chuck Hollingshead (870) 245-3097; new board member Don Hagger (870) 246-3505 and Joe Phelps (870) 246-5877. Congressman Mike Ross (870) 887-6787. State Senator Percy Malone (870) 246-7177 or (870) 245-1770. State Representative Tommy Roebuck (870) 246-8500.