COUNTY LINE, Ala. (WIAT) - For months now, plans to put a big landfill in a little town have been causing a stink in County Line. The town council voted for the 219 acre landfill in March. That got neighbors fired up over fears property values would drop, and pollution would rise. However, a council member has since resigned and Wednesday night a replacement was named. Therein lies the new controversy.
Those opposed to the sanitary landfill make their feelings clear with "Stop the Dump" signs which dot Highway 79.
Citizens in Blount and Jefferson Counties are concerned about the landfill and some opponents call the governor's moratorium a victory. Some of them definitely feel dumped on.
"How does it make me feel? I wish I'd never moved to County Line. I really do," said Myrtle Van Kleeck.
When one town council seat suddenly opened last month some smelled an opportunity for change.
"Who would you like to see on the council to replace the vacant seat? Somebody that's not kin to each other here. I mean they're all kin except one," said Myrtle Van Kleeck.
Some non-related citizens submitted their names for consideration, but Wednesday night the council voted unanimously to appoint Brett Huffstutler. He's the son-in-law of council member Pam Sitton. Sitton said Huffstutler would bring an emergency responder's perspective to the council if they ever get a fire department.
Huffstutler gave us his view on the landfill.
"Most of the town, it seems to me does not want a dump. So I just, I think the people have spoken pretty much about that they don't want a dump," said Brett Huffstutler.
He wouldn't discuss his family connections.
"Naw, naw, we ain't going to get into that," said Huffstutler.
Gloria Kennedy missed the meeting, but she was not surprised to hear what happened.
"And they probably voted in another family member. (Yes they did.) Did they vote in another family member? I swear I cannot believe this! I'm going to tell you something, there's got to be a law against that," said Kennedy.
Governor Bentley signed a moratorium blocking new landfill permits. It's not clear if the action will affect the community situated on the Blount/Jefferson County Line. A public hearing on the sanitary landfill is planned for June 13th at 6:00 p.m. at County Line Town Hall.
