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The landfill debate that won't close

City Councilman Mike Barber called the other day and restated his views on the White Street Landfill.

He still argues that the landfill was closed prematurely to household waste and that it is costing taxpayers huge amounts of money each year.

In this economy, he argues, the city can't afford that kind of expense.

When this issue has surfaced before the City Council has quickly quashed it with minimal discussion.

Some people believe reopening the landfill would amount to environmental racism.

I don't know about that. Although the area largely consists of African American residents today, the landfill predated most of them.

The area was majority-white until the early 1970s. I know. I lived there.

The landfill was built in the 1940s.

The City Council this week directed city staff to consider the costs of reopening the landfill to household trash — and of buying the homes surrounding the landfill.

That makes sense.

There are legitimate questions about the actual pros and cons of opening the landfill or keeping it closed.

At this point I don't know whether Barber is right.

I'd like to find out.

The city — including those who live nearest the landfill — would benefit from an informed discussion based on facts, not emotions.