The N&R editorializes on the proposed Randolph County regional landfill:

Here’s the thing: The Randolph landfill won’t be built until late 2012 and probably wouldn’t resume taking trash until 2013. So Greensboro still has time for the smart compromise we first suggested in May — and that could address short-term fiscal needs as well as long-term landfill needs: Reopen White Street for the next three to five years, then move to Randolph County for the next 30.

Everybody sacrifices. Everybody wins.

There’s still a chance to stop being combative. And to get creative.

The Rhino’s John Hammer reports the White Street landfill’s permitted capacity is now 7.7 years under the plan the City Council passed Tuesday night, so I guess the creativity involves closing it again with two years’ capacity, which admittedly is nothing considering the fact that a previous council closed it with 50 years’ capacity.

What strikes me is the way Randolph County officials state the very reason —–“gotta have garbage coming in to pay the bills” —for opening a regional landfill as Greensboro officials cite for reopening the landfill. Similarly, nearby Randolph residents are concerned about the “possibility of smells, rodents and health risks”—– just like Greensboro residents who oppose reopening the landfill.

So it’s a bit more complicated than your average win-win situation.