Workgroup Has No Opinion on Landfill Expansion: The Benton County Trash Talks Solid Waste Workgroup will be hosting an open house on April 4. The workgroup will present the final report to the Benton County Board of Commissioners on the same day and will open it to public comment at the event.
Much to the dismay of most however, the final report will not address whether the Coffin Butte Landfill should be expanded or closed. A local group, Coffin Butte Facts, has been circulating a petition asking the board to delay its consideration of any land use action at Coffin Butte landfill until after the County has completed a sustainable materials management plan.
In a release from the county, community members have already volunteered thousands of hours working with County staff and key stakeholders to provide recommendations about the future of sustainable materials management, solid waste, and disposal in Benton County.
“Transparency and openness with our community are a top priority and we have strived to be as open and transparent as we can by engaging with community members who have diverse perspectives, key stakeholders, landfill operators, adjacent counties, Oregon DEQ, and more,” said Benton County Community Development Director Darren Nichols.
The open house is scheduled from 5-7 pm at the Kalapuya Building, 4500 Research Way, Corvallis, OR, 97333. More information about the process can be found on the project website.
Interested residents are asked to RSVP to the event by emailing pioinfo@bentoncountyor.gov.
Drop-in Center: The Corvallis Daytime Drop-in Center is seeking additional support from state legislators to fund the expansion of resources that it provides for the houselessness population.
Currently the center offers job placement, and direct services for people experiencing homelessness and poverty in Benton County and surrounding areas. The daytime center is seeking state funding in order to become a 24/7 shelter and crucial services facility.
“The drop-in center exists because people need to feel loved and understand that they’re cared for and have a social community that they can be a part of and feel safe,” said Allison Hobgood, executive director of the Corvallis Daytime Drop-in Center.
The county released an informational video for those needing additional information on the current services the drop-in center provides. Click here to watch the video or you can contact healthdeptcommunications@bentoncountyor.gov to learn more.
By Jennifer Williams
