Newton County discusses proposed Granby landfill and risks

NEOSHO, Mo. — Granby residents, Newton County commissioners, and a state representative meet to discuss a proposed landfill.

"They don't want to become another contaminated area for something else," said Daniel Swem, Newton County presiding commissioner.

On Thursday, Newton County commissioners and state representative Dirk Deaton held a meeting to discuss a proposed landfill in Granby.

Around 40 people from the surrounding area attended the meeting at the Newton County Courthouse to voice their concerns.

"There's almost everybody's against it. You know, it's really close to Shoal Creek, within about a mile and a quarter of Shoal Creek," said Swem.

The company CARDS filed a request to propose a landfill one mile east of Granby. Swem says the meeting was a way to hear residents' concerns.

"There was farmers here that talked about the fact that their wells, only 100 and 2050 feet deep. And there's no way they're going to keep it out of their drinking water."

"There's questions about the environmental concerns, the health concern, the safety concerns. All valid questions, of course, that have to be answered," said State rep. Dirk Deaton, (R) district 159.

Deaton says its also a way for everyone to be on the same page. He says other concerns from residents are how close the proposed landfill would be to Shoal Creek and how that could affect farmers and Granby's drinking water.

"If you're going to represent people, you've got to talk to them. You got to hear what they're thinking. And because of the public interest that this is bringing, you know, I think it's important to go out and meet people where they are," said Deaton.

Deaton says it's a long process and could probably take years. Until then he says state and county leaders will look into it, make preliminary determinations and then hold public awareness and hearings.

"We're really concerned for our citizens and they're concerned and we want to stand behind them," said Swem.