Many opponents of landfill

Published in the News Register: February 7, 2009

by Clarke Ellingson

I take exception to Dan Hinmon's letter (Readers' Forum, Jan. 31). He attempts to characterize opponents of Riverbend Landfill's expansion as "a small but vocal group of citizens." This couldn't be further from the truth.

I bet the crowds at the planning commission hearings were some of the biggest ever. Long-time farm families, including owners of century farms, were joined by relatively new Yamhill County residents. Riverbend neighbors were joined by people from all over the county, voicing their opposition to the zone change request. Yamhill County Farm Bureau, Yamhill County Soil and Water Conservation District, the wine and tourism industries, as well as 1000 Friends of Oregon, all weighed in opposing Riverbend's expansion plans.

During the November election, Riverbend supporters called for the defeat of Measure 36-119. Former Mayor Gormley called in "an effort to end-run the land use process" and the News-Register editorial board said "let the land use process run its course as a quasi-judicial governmental process, not as land use planning via the ballot box."

Well, Riverbend's land-use application was soundly rejected by a unanimous vote of the planning commission. All who took the time to read and study Riverbend's application and testified have my utmost respect. I don't think the diversity and diligence of Riverbend's opposition will be lost on the board of commissioners when they take up the matter in March.

I am a full-time farmer. I live and work every day within sight of Riverbend. Many of my neighbors opposed the siting of the original landfill and have been adversely affected by it ever since. I oppose covering some of the valley's best farmland with garbage. I appreciate the News-Register pointing out Dan Hinmon's involvement with Riverbend. In my opinion, it's not hard to tell who butters his bread.