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The most recent topic of debate, New York City trash. It seems their scheme to secure a “Willing Host Community” has hit a few speed bumps. If OHSWA has a credibility problem, they ought to look in the mirror to see who is responsible. Is it possible that twelve years of misconduct is catching up with them?

OHSWA can’t rest until they reel in the big fish, a “Willing Host Community”. If OHSWA is not required to pay any compensation, and the landfill is truly just for Oneida and Herkimer Counties, then why don’t they just let it go? The fact that they don’t have an agreement yet seems to be making them more and more uptight. Do they think that throwing money at us will make us change our minds about accepting a polluting, outdated, monster landfill? If we agree to become a “Willing Host Community”, we are INVITING the destruction of our communities.

Now, for the factual information that Arnold implies can only come from OHSWA. New York City’s Comptroller put out a report in Oct. 2004 that states: “To quickly increase in-state disposal capacity, New York City should consider purchasing access to, or the development rights of, existing landfills in upstate New York.” He also states: “New York City should aggressively pursue the development of publicly controlled disposal capacity.” The Ava landfill falls into this ownership category, and was mentioned in the report. Laws can be changed, including the one that prohibits OHSWA from importing trash.

A research associate from Columbia University is advocating a method whereby New York City could be given the power to acquire disposal capacity to meet their waste needs. New York City already has the power to acquire upstate watersheds to protect their safe drinking water supply. New York City would like to have complete control over their waste management system to stabilize costs. The catch is, they have made a commitment to send their garbage only to communities that have entered into a host community agreement.

As long as there is the possibility of a viable publicly controlled landfill in Ava, NY, there is a potential risk for New York City garbage invasion. Under DEC’s regulations, solid waste management facilities may increase their capacity by 49.9% without having to seek a major modification of their permit. It’s also not a stretch to think that someday, someone will return to the original footprint in the Veteran’s Forest to increase the capacity at that site. The City doesn’t send their waste to a single facility; Ava wouldn’t have to handle 100% of the waste.

ACAL is not reporting misinformation. We have reported the facts as they have presented themselves. We are arming our communities with information. What we know for sure, Mr. Arnold and Mr. Critelli don’t get to decide what is best for our communities. They don’t live here!

If you are a resident of Boonville or Ava, and you don’t ever want New York City to take over our towns, I urge you to call your Town Supervisor and attend the next Town Board meeting, and make your voice heard. As rural citizens, we can stand together to say NO DEAL to Mr. Arnold.