Neighbors Will Meet to Discuss Future of VIM Recycling

by Ed Ernstes (ernstes@wsbt.com)

Tools

Neighbors Will Meet to Discuss Future of VIM Recycling

By Beth Boehne

Story Created: Jul 13, 2007 at 3:08 PM EST

Story Updated: Jul 13, 2007 at 5:49 PM EST

(WSBT) A massive plant fire in Elkhart County sparked neighbor concerns about safety.

On Saturday, those neighbors will meet to discuss the future of the controversial recycling plant.

That fire started at the VIM Recycling plant one month ago. One person died and another was seriously hurt.

The company plans to rebuild after the fire, but neighbors want to see it close forever.

Neighbors who live near the VIM Recycling plant are organizing the community meeting. State and local officials are scheduled to be on hand to listen.

It's set up to allow nearby homeowners to discuss their concerns about the plant following the recent fire. They'd like to see the recycling plant moved — preferably somewhere out in the county.

"We don't need this out here,” said Jerry Hart, who lives by the plant. “So it’s my hope that we get enough people there that they will pay attention to our wishes — the ones that live out here — and deny him his permits to do this."

It is their hope that many of the 700 people so far who have signed the petition against allowing the company to remain at the site will be in attendance at the Saturday meeting.

"So we're just hoping that everybody will back us and we can hopefully get him moved and a whole bunch of people will show and support us,” Brandy Trosper told WSBT News.

Tom Holt, VIM company spokesman, plans to be at that meeting.

"These are people, our neighbors, and we want to hear what they have to say and the reasons that they are concerned about our operation,” Holt said. “We are just really hoping to listen, be good neighbors, and come up with an amicable resolution so we all can exist."

"Everybody needs to be able to be heard,” said James Trosper, who organized the meeting. “It's just not a one-sided deal. He should be able to speak his mind also but the community also needs to be able to talk their mind and not be cut off."

That public meeting is scheduled for Saturday afternoon at Jimtown North Elementary, starting at 2 p.m. Organizers expect around 100 neighbors to show up.

More Good Stuff

WSBT Weather

icon
Current Temp 54.5
°
More Weather

On Demand

More On Demand

Stock Quotes

YouNews

This content requires the latest Adobe Flash Player and a browser with JavaScript enabled. Click here for a free download of the latest Adobe Flash Player.
This content requires the latest Adobe Flash Player and a browser with JavaScript enabled. Click here for a free download of the latest Adobe Flash Player.

Tonight On WSBTFull Schedule

7.00
Paid Programming
7.30
Jeopardy
8.00
The Mentalist
9.00
48 Hours Mystery
10.00
48 Hours Mystery
11.00
WSBT News
11.35
CSI: NY
12.35
CSI: NY
1.35
CSI: Miami

Question of The Day

Will the new health recommendations for women change your health screening habits?

E-mail your comments. We'll pick some to read during WSBT News at 5.

  • YES
  • NO
Today's Mortgage Rates