Solid waste director fired after multiple violations at landfill
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HARDEMAN COUNTY, Tenn. — A local government makes a big decision on a longstanding landfill issue. The Hardeman County solid waste director is fired after the facility fails state inspections for two years.
Hardeman County residents say they’re angry as problems at the landfill located in their neighborhood continue to pile up. “It concerns me because if it is seeping out, then it’s getting in the water,” Janie Phillips said. “My grandchildren live close to here, and that is a concern.” Last May, landfill officials were notified by the state they had ten violations. Now the state followed up with another letter to current Mayor Jimmy Sain, informing him the same problems of uncovered trash and uncontrollable liquid waste still exist. “I feel helpless because I wouldn’t even know where to begin to try and enforce what they are supposed to be doing,” Phillips said. Solid Waste Director Gene Mills has since been fired. County officials confirm Sain shut down the landfill Saturday after a walkthrough of the facility and a previous meeting with officials from Nashville. For now, county officials say the landfill will be open during their normal operating times.
