Interesting column from N&R ed page editor Allen Johnson (unposted) on the ongoing controversy surrounding the possible reopening of the White Street landfill.

Johnson advocates for a regional landfill, using the recently-opened Randleman Dam as a template for regionalism:

There is a lesson in that for current elected leaders. A long time ago, someone planted the seeds for the Randleman dam and reservoir knowing full well they wouldn’t get much, if any, credit for their efforts — and might not even be alive when the first drops of water started to flow.

….Meanwhile, a regional landfill has been discussed but has seen no tangible progress. Landfills are as difficult to create as new water sources, but this community has chosen instead to invest most of its energy in a shorter-term solution, the possible reopening of the White Street landfill.

Johnson has weighed in at length on White Street, rejecting the racial politics surrounding its possible reopening. But I did take note of a column written back in ’09 where he again rejects notions of environmental racism. But what’s also interesting is the column was inspired by a call from then-City Council member Mike Barber, the biggest proponent of re-opening White Street. While he bemoans the “horrible long-range planning” surrounding White Street —- a theme he repeats in yesterday’s column —-Johnson concluded “it’s worth finding out” if Barber was right about the expense of closing the landfill.

Barber’s no longer on the council, but I do remember his views on a regional landfill —– it would be a difficult pursuit because other cities —unlike Greensboro —– did not close their landfills, if anything adding capacity. Still, Randolph County is talking about opening a regional landfill. And if Robbie Perkins becomes mayor later this year, he certainly will continue his push for a regional landfill.

This debate will continue for quite some time, and I would think Perkins is happy that the N&R’s ed page editor has endorsed the idea of a regional landfill. No doubt landfill opponents are happy, too.