Citizens turn up in numbers against White Oak landfill

Petition has nearly 500 signatures

By Charlotte Underwood

JACKSBORO, TN (WLAF)- The courthouse was packed at Monday’s County Commission meeting with citizens concerned about the possibility of a proposed landfill for the White Oak area.

Commission Chairman Johnny Bruce said at the beginning of the meeting that no action or vote would be taken on the landfill and that the individuals proposing the landfill would have to present “certain items” before the commission would even call a public hearing on it as requested.

“We don’t want it,” someone called quickly from the audience.

Fifth District Commissioner Tyler King spoke up at the end of the commission meeting and announced that a petition had been started on Friday and had already garnered 487 signatures against the landfill.

“There’s already 487 signatures against it, and that’s where we stand,” King said to applause from the audience.

King also told those in attendance if the county did have a public hearing it would be held at White Oak Elementary School so everyone from that community could attend.

Bruce assured those in attendance that once those proposing the landfill came back to the commission for a public hearing, if they had the paperwork in order for a hearing and one was held, then “everyone would be notified so they could have their voices heard.”

Commissioner Rusty Orick said that under the Jackson Law, “no one can force this on us without the Jackson Law, correct.”

Orick went on to state that “on the state level there was a push for more landfills, and that the state could override us, so the buck doesn’t stop here.”

He and Chairman Bruce encouraged those in attendance to “reach out to those in Nashville and to contact their state representatives and senators and let them know they did not want it in Campbell County.”

Bruce told those in attendance he and the other commissioners appreciated them coming to the meeting.

Commissioner Derek Sharp closed the meeting out, saying he stood with the public and with King and Commissioner Mike Douglas and that he was against the tire grinding business and the landfill as well.

Douglas and Sharp also represent the 5th district. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED-10/21/2025-6AM)