Melvin DuBose, a resident of the Penrose Estates neighborhood, says resistance to the reopening of the White Street Landfill has softened because some of the vendors angling for a contract with the city have talked about economic development concessions and involving residents in their plans.
"My sense is if it has to reopen, let's do it in the wisest way: Upfit it, use the newest technology, stimulate the economy," DuBose told me in a telephone conversation today. "The reason the attitude is softening is I've been talking about generating some economic development for the community."
DuBose said he has been approached by both Cico LLC and Ulturnagen. The former company proposes to build a waste-to-energy facility at White Street using pyrolysis, while the latter company wants to use a new technique called plasma gasification. DuBose said he has concluded that pyrolysis is the more acceptable method, but his talks with Cico soured because he felt they wanted to retain control of a nonprofit set up for the community's benefit with him acting as a puppet.
DuBose likes a proposal by MRR Southern, a partnership that includes local demolition company DH Griffin, best of all. That's because it entails a waste-to-energy facility in an industrial area near Bishop Road, which is across the city from White Street.
DuBose said at a minimum any private company that reopens the White Street Landfill needs to be prepared to plow $3 million a year back into the local community. The city, beginning with Mayor Bill Knight and City Manager Rashad Young, should consult directly with the people who live in the area of the White Street Landfill. Holding community meetings wouldn't be a bad place to start.
"The city would be remiss if they didn't handle it like that," DuBose said. "For years, they operated the landfill, and they didn't give the community anything, in fact, let the community go downhill. Now, we as a community would be remiss if we didn't say, 'Look this is what you need to do as the city government for this community.'"
4 comments:
"DuBose said at a minimum any private company that reopens the White Street Landfill needs to be prepared to plow $3 million a year back into the local community."
Uh, why?
The community has been asaked over and over and over to attend meetings to voice our opinion. Hardly anyone shows up. Mr. DuBose has willingly participated so, he must be the leader. We have been asked to send our leadership for discussions. Mr. Dubose would be remiss if he didn't share with Wcommunity what he has to gain financially from this project. We are running out of time to officially partipate.Is this our leader or do we have someone who will step up???
Healymon: I understand that Ralph Johnson has resigned as chairman of Concerned Citizens of Northeast Greensboro to run for NC House and that someone else has been appointed to fill his position. I suppose Goldie Wells has credibility to speak for northeast Greensboro as a private citizen. Who else is taking leadership to ensure that the White Street area has a voice in this process?
My point exactly.....Who has officially stepped up? Certainly Dr. Wells can speak. We all can speak, but who has been officially declared the leadership and when will they come forward and lead??? It is just a bunch of behind the scenes backbiting, complaining and not doing anything to truly band the community together as one and move forward. We can just keep on talkin I guess..........and you can just keep on interviewing any person who steps up to the microphone as a self-proposed leader.
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