The Democratic Ohio EPA director gets it right

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The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency issued a statement this afternoon recommending that the Stark County Health Department deny Countywide landfill's license to operate.

State EPA Director Chris Korleski made the recommendation citing "continued operational problems" at Countywide Recycling and Disposal Facility on Gracemont Street SW in Pike Township.

According to the statement, Korleski has determined that Countywide is not following state environmental laws. The agency said the landfill continues to emit odors, has failed to keep an underground fire under control and has had temperatures that exceed acceptable standards.

The director plans to order the landfill to "take aggressive measures to eliminate the unusual underground conditions and nuisance odors," according to the statement.

(more)

http://www.cantonrep.com/index.php?ID=337653&r=0&Category=9&subCategoryID=0

Countywide Landfill has had problems since it opened. The landfill is really a mountain of garbage that has become one of the highest points in Stark County. This year has been the last straw. The landfill is on fire, has sunk 30 feet in places and emits a stench that turns your stomach as you drive by it on I-77. People who live in the area cannot stand to go outside their homes. Restaurants have closed down because the vile smell permeated their establishments. The children in the school where I used to teach were held captive to the stink. On bad days the air exchangers in the classrooms were turned off. The Republican EPA did nothing. In less than two months, the Democratic director came in, did an evaluation and recommended that Countrywide lose its license to operate. It takes a Dem to get things done.

And now my heart sinks. Here's the response of the Health Dept.
NEWS RELEASE
2/21/2007
CONTACT: WILLIAM J. FRANKS, MPH
HEALTH COMMISSIONER

EPA Director’s Recommendation on Countywide Landfill

The Stark County Health Department is expecting the EPA Director’s recommendation today regarding Countywide Landfill. The Board of Health will take this recommendation under advisement tomorrow at their monthly Board of Health meeting. This Board meeting is not a hearing on the landfill and there will be no public discussion of the matter nor a decision made by the Board of Health at that time.

If the Director recommends action be taken to deny the license, then the Stark County Health Department procedures will be enacted and due process followed to assure a fair and impartial decision. These procedures may take a minimum of two months to comply with applicable state laws. The Health Commissioner states that there will be ample opportunity for the public to provide input during the hearing process.