I read with interest N&R ed page editor Allen Johnson’s interview with former Greensboro Mayor Keith Holliday regarding his opposition to re-opening the White Street landfill. (Print edition only; background here.)
Interesting quote from Holliday closing the interview:
For now, Holliday says he has spoken his piece and plans to back to making a living.
“I don’t regret doing it,” he says. Nothing has changed in my feelings about it. I just can’t be the leader of this.”
The he offers these parting words for those who do lead: “Years from now there’s going to be a bunch of elected leaders who will say, ‘Who was it who decided to open up the landfill in the one area we had to grow our city? Who was asleep at the wheel?'”
The irony of Holliday’s statement is rich, considering the fact that’s exactly the question elected leaders are asking now about the decision to close a landfill with at least 50 years’ capacity. I’m sure that’s why reaction was so strong from current council members to Holliday’s opposition; they know exactly who was asleep at the wheel.
