Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, May 4, 1990 TAG: 9005040486
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B1 EDITION: STATE
SOURCE: MARY BISHOP STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
"We figure it was set, but how and by whom, we're still working on it," said Alleghany County Sheriff T.D. "Danny" Warlitner. The sheriff and county arson investigator Kevin Nicely had sifted through the shanty's remains on Virginia 696 across from the private landfill's main gate.
Since last fall, a loyal crew of dump dissidents has hovered over a kerosene stove and taken shelter from rain and snow to keep careful records on garbage trucks from New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
"The bastards torched our house," said Alicia Gordon, one of the dump's opponents. She suspects the operators of the controversial landfill at Selma, near Clifton Forge.
Junior Mullins, one of the landfill's managers and son of part-owner Shelcy Mullins Sr., said Thursday he was as upset as the demonstrators. He went down to a gathering at the shack ruins to express his regrets.
"It looks bad for us," he said, adding that he fears for violence against his company, which is already one of the most-despised businesses around. Attorney General Mary Sue Terry filed suit Tuesday to close the dump because of its pollution and its lack of insurance.
Mullins doubted it was one of his workers who set the fire. "If it's any of our people, they won't be working for us." Whoever it is, he said, "I hope they are prosecuted."
By Thursday afternoon, the dump watchers were back in business. Local auto shop owner Ken Cronise donated some chairs. Steve Bennett, owner of a sawmill next to Kim-Stan, offered lumber if they want to rebuild.
Warlitner said the Selma Fire Department answered a call about the blaze at 12:17 a.m.
by CNB