Live Oak — There has been lots of talk lately over the proposed landfill that could be situated near I-10 and US 129 North. Some of that talk has been negative, some positive. That’s the way it goes with any controversial issue such as this one.

Before any determinations are made, sealed and filed away, because of popular rumor or because certain names are involved, let’s hear the facts from both sides.

Frank A. Darabi, the agent for Cross Environmental Resources Management, LLC, the company who wants to construct the landfill, will be holding a workshop at 6:30 p.m. Monday on the matter. The Live Oak City Council meets for their regular meeting Tuesday. We hear there will be discussion there as well. The Suwannee County Board of County Commissioners are scheduled to decide on whether or not to allow the land use change for the proposed landfill on Nov. 15 at 7 p.m.

Folks, we can’t stress enough how important it is to attend these meetings. They are your elected officials. They represent you and can’t represent your full interests unless you voice your opinion. If you can’t attend any of the meetings, call your commissioner. Granted, the  Live Oak City Council can’t vote to approve or deny the land use change since it’s not in their jurisdiction.

They are not, however, powerless.

Darabi has told the Democrat that the landfill would not be seen, at all, from I-10 or US 129. He also said it would be well buffered and that trucks used to transport garbage would not be tearing up our local roads. It all sounds good, especially in this economy when we need jobs and can’t afford to fix our roads. However, we’re worried about our future growth and what impact a garbage dump would have on that growth with a landfill so close to the largest municipality in the county.

Live Oak City Administrator Bob Farley is concerned as well.

“The bottom line is I am concerned about the smell that could hinder future development,” Farley told us. “We’ve been told that the landfill, you won’t be able to see it from 129 or 1-10. Down south when you’re in Broward County, they’re alongside the interstate and they smell, even the closed one smells. I am just concerned. Garbage smells, period.”

What’s more important is the safety aspect of having a landfill so close to the city’s new $3 million water system near the location.

“From a safety standpoint, staff’s concern is any contamination will be a hindrance to our well fields which will hinder growth,” Farley said.

Farley said he was told by the Department of Environmental Protection that anywhere from 10-15 percent of leakage can be expected from the landfill.

The city will be pulling a massive amount of water from the aquifer near the site, about a mile away.

We can’t afford to take that risk, on contamination or growth.

“I don’t want people going down I-10 saying when you see the dump turn right,” said Farley. “I think it’s a pretty (water) tank and we put a nice logo on there to attract growth, I just don’t want people to say get off at the exit after you see the dump.”