George,

This is a classic case of NIMBY. The Ivy Landfill was there long before most (if not all) of the current residents moved into that area. If it is not at Ivy whose neighborhood are we going to dump our garbage in: some poor people's? Yes all of the environmental concerns need to be addressed but the garbage has to go some where. If we are looking for causes to support let's try to increase recycling so we have less garbage to deal with. Let's fight other states shipping their garbage to Virginia. What we have is a group of people who bought their properties in one of the most expensive and attractive areas of Western Albemarle County at below comparable prices because they were close to a landfill. Now they want to get rid of the landfill so their property values will go up. I have absolutely no sympathy for these people and see no reason to give them any support.

I doubt my response is going to be well received by your audience but it certainly is nice to have a forum to express my opinion. I don't know how you have time to keep this going but I am glad you do. Thanks for having me on your list.

Downing Smith (electronic mail, May 2, 2001).