Members Removed

Loudon County commission took extraordinary actions at the last meeting to remove members of the Loudon County Solid Waste Commission, LCSWC. The board has been surrounded with controversy since they voted for an amendment to the landfill contract back in July. For many on the county commission, the contract amendment was bad for the three stakeholders,  Loudon County, Lenoir City and Loudon. Among many other issues, the new amendment allowed the landfill manager, Republic Services, to dramatically increase the tipping fees at the landfill. That increase will be passed along to all county and city residents in the form of higher garbage disposal costs for everyone. The amendment has many other issues besides the increased tipping fees.

The current contract still had an additional five years left and there was no reason to rush through the new amendment which also extends the contract by an additional ten years.

The LCBWC is made up of seven members, five appointed by the county and one each appointed by the cities. Prior to Monday's commission meeting, LCSWC chairwoman and former county commissioner, Kelly Brewster had resigned from the board as had 3rd district member, Terry Small. With Brewster's resignation, LCSWC board member, Pat Hunter was elected chair of the board. Ms. Hunter was the only member who opposed the contract amendment and voted against it.

Aside from Hunter the other two remaining members of the board were Steve Field and Larry Jamerson. County commission vacated those two seats. The commission then appointed four county commissioners, temporarily, to fill the four vacant seats. Commissioners, Chase Randolph, Bill Satterfield, Adam Waller and Henry Cullen will serve on the LCSWC.

The day after the commission took action, the LCSWC attorney, Kevin Stevens, submitted his resignation followed shortly thereafter by the resignation of the Lenoir City appointee, Art Stewart. Aside from Hunter, the only other member of the board that remains is Loudon City councilwoman, Tammy Bivens.

The next meeting of the LCSWC will be this Tuesday.

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9/12/22