The announcement thatWaste Industrieshad pulled its request to build a regional landfill near Moncure Tuesday brought a packed Pittsboro courtroom to its feet.
"I've said at the outset that they were underestimating the power of Moncure and I think I was right," says resident Lyle Estill. "I think we stopped this thing in its tracks which is where it belongs."
Chatham County neighbors had worked hard for weeks in trying to stop the landfill from heading into town. They wanted to send a clear message to commissioners that a dump was not their idea of progress. Tuesday night, their grass-roots efforts paid off.
"I think they made a good decision, and I hope that they will stand behind it. I hope that they don't change their minds," says resident Chris Harris.
"I think we did a good job. The people really came together here probably for the first time, and it was really important," says resident Rod Caffey.
Longtime residents, like Paul McCoy, know the fight is not over just yet. They say it is up to the community to bring an industry to the area that is worth keeping.
"Now, we can look forward to something that is so much better, something that is exciting that we can build on to make the community what it has the potential to be," he says.
Waste Industries officials say they believe the Moncure site is an ideal spot for the project, but they understand the residents' concerns.
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