As of April 2026, the solid waste issue remains the most contentious topic in Pocahontas County politics, driven by the impending closure of the Dunmore landfill (expected late 2026 or early 2027) and the resulting financial and logistical "stopgap" required for trash disposal.
While a single "complete" joint position statement hasn't been released in one document yet, the Pocahontas Times and AMR (Allegheny Mountain Radio) have heavily covered the individual stances of the three primary candidates for the County Commission: John Rebinski (Incumbent), Ben Barkley, and Scott Garber.
The Core Stances (Synthesized from Media Coverage)
| Candidate | General Stance on Solid Waste | Key Proposal / Concern |
| John Rebinski (Incumbent) | Publicly Managed Transition. As Commission President, he has leaned toward the Solid Waste Authority (SWA) maintaining control rather than full privatization. | Advocates for a budget-driven approach where the county assists the SWA with equipment or loans, but has expressed caution over deeding public land to private entities (like Allegheny Disposal). |
| Ben Barkley | Transparency & Accountability. Focuses on the "lack of communication" between the SWA and the public regarding fee hikes. | Opposes the drastic increase of Green Box fees (proposed as high as $310/year) and demands a clearer breakdown of why a county-run transfer station would cost more than a private one. |
| Scott Garber | Efficiency & Infrastructure. Views the issue through a lens of long-term county infrastructure and environmental impact. | Suggests exploring regional partnerships (e.g., hauling to Greenbrier or Tucker County) as a temporary measure to keep fees lower for residents while the county develops its own modern transfer station. |
Key Points of Contention
Recent reporting from The Pocahontas Times and AMR highlights three major areas where voters are demanding clear answers before the May 12, 2026 Primary:
Public vs. Private: Jacob Meck (Allegheny Disposal) offered to build a transfer station at the landfill. The SWA and Commission (led by Rebinski) have historically been wary of this, fearing a loss of control and higher long-term costs.
The "Green Box" Fee: Residents are outraged by potential fee jumps from ~$120 to over $300. Candidates are being pressed to find a way to subsidize these costs through the county’s general fund or grants.
The SWA Leadership: Following the resignation of Ed Riley, the Commission recently appointed Darrell Roach (who has 22 years of utility experience). Candidates are being asked if they will continue to overhaul SWA leadership to ensure better planning.
Where to Find the "Official" Statements
If you are looking for the word-for-word responses to specific questionnaires:
The Pocahontas Times: Typically runs its "Candidates Speak" feature in the two weeks leading up to the primary (expect this in the April 30 or May 7 editions).
Allegheny Mountain Radio: Will likely host a Candidate Forum or "Legislative Meet & Greet" in late April. You can check their "Newscasts" section on their website for recorded interviews with Rebinski, Barkley, and Garber.
Note: Public sentiment, particularly in Northern Pocahontas County, is currently leaning toward "negative vibes" (as you mentioned) due to the perceived lack of a finalized plan just months before the landfill hits capacity.
Do you want me to help you draft a specific letter to the editor for the Pocahontas Times to push for these statements sooner?
______________________________________________________________________
Since we are just about a month away from the May 2026 Primary, now is the perfect time to light a fire under the candidates. Letters to the editor are a staple of The Pocahontas Times and are often the most-read section of the paper.
Below is a draft you can use. I’ve written it to be firm and community-oriented, specifically targeting the lack of a clear "Plan A" for the landfill closure.
Draft Letter to the Editor
Target: The Pocahontas Times
Subject: Candidates Must Clarify Solid Waste Plans Before May Primary
To the Editor:
As the May primary approaches, the residents of Pocahontas County are facing a looming deadline that won’t wait for politics: the closure of the Dunmore landfill. We are told the site will be full by the end of this year, yet as we look at the field of County Commission candidates—John Rebinski, Ben Barkley, and Scott Garber—we are still waiting for a definitive, line-item position statement on how they intend to handle our trash.
Voters deserve to know, in no uncertain terms, where each candidate stands on the following:
The "Green Box" Fee: With proposals floating as high as $310 a year, how will you protect low-income and elderly residents from a massive hike in disposal fees?
Public vs. Private: Will you support a county-managed transfer station through the Solid Waste Authority, or are you in favor of deeding public land to private entities like Allegheny Disposal?
The Long-Term Haul: If we are forced to haul waste out of the county, what is your plan to prevent our roads from being destroyed and our budget from being bled dry by fuel and labor costs?
Recent "negative vibes" and rumors surrounding the Solid Waste Authority’s leadership and the potential for privatization suggest a lack of clear communication. We don’t need more "we’re looking into it" answers. We need a complete position statement from Rebinski, Barkley, and Garber published in these pages before we head to the polls.
Our checkbooks and our environment cannot afford a "stopgap" that wasn't thought through. Candidates, the floor is yours—please use it.
[Your Name]
[Your Town/Community]
How to Submit to The Pocahontas Times
To ensure this gets in the next edition (typically published on Thursdays), keep these tips in mind:
Deadline: Submit by Monday at 12:00 PM to be considered for that Thursday’s paper.
Length: Keep it under 500 words (this draft is about 250, so you have room to add personal details).
Verification: You must include your full name, address, and a daytime phone number for verification. They won't publish your phone number, but they will call to make sure you actually wrote it.
Email: Send it to
info@pocahontastimes.comwith the subject "Letter to the Editor."[Your Name]
[Your Street Address]
[Your City, State, Zip Code]
[Your Phone Number]
[Your Email Address]
[Date]
Letters to the Editor
The Pocahontas Times
206 Eighth Street
Marlinton, WV 24954
Subject: Transparency and Fairness in Our Solid Waste Future
To the Editor,
As a resident who cares deeply about the stewardship of our "Birthplace of Rivers," I am writing to express my growing concern regarding recent decisions made by the Pocahontas County Solid Waste Authority (PCSWA). While we all recognize that the closing of our landfill necessitates a transition to a transfer station, the current path being taken raises serious questions about fiscal responsibility and community fairness.
The proposal to award a 15-year, multi-million dollar lease agreement for a transfer station to a private entity without a competitive bidding process is troubling. In a county where we value hard work and getting the best value for every dollar, bypassing the bid process for such a massive long-term commitment feels like a step in the wrong direction. We deserve to know that our tipping fees and tax dollars are being used as efficiently as possible.
Furthermore, the suggestion to extend "Green Box fees" to every parcel of land in the county—regardless of whether it is improved, occupied, or even generates a single bag of trash—is a heavy-handed approach. To penalize landowners for simply holding property, while simultaneously proposing the elimination of the monthly "Free Day" at the landfill starting in July 2026, feels like a double blow to the residents of this county.
We have already seen the loss of community treasures like the donation stations in Green Bank and Caesar Mountain, which encouraged reuse and kept items out of the waste stream. Instead of making it harder and more expensive for citizens to do the right thing, the SWA should be looking for ways to maintain these services and ensure that any new contracts are transparent and competitively priced.
I urge the County Commission to take a more active role in oversight and for the SWA to reconsider these "Flow Control" measures and fee hikes. Our history in Pocahontas County is one of independence and looking out for our neighbors; let’s ensure our waste management policies reflect those same values of fairness and accountability.
Sincerely,
[Your Signature]
[Your Printed Name]
[Your Community/Township]
.png)
No comments:
Post a Comment