Atmore, County join Repton lawsuit

Opponents of a proposed landfill are shown in prayer prior to the Conecuh Commission’s vote that prompted the suit.

A lawsuit against the proposed Conecuh Woods landfill is growing bigger.
Both the Atmore City Council and Escambia County Commission voted Monday to join the suit filed by the Town of Repton against developers Conecuh Woods LLC and the Conecuh County Commission.
The commission and city will now be named as plaintiffs in the case against the Conecuh County Commis-sion and Conecuh Woods LLC, developers of a proposed 5,000-acre landfill near Repton.
“This thing applies to us because of the increased traffic and debris, but also because of the water tables under that area that supply Conecuh County and Escambia County,” Atmore Mayor Howard Shell said. “The initial outlay for us is $4,000. That’s a small token to pay. And we’re not by ourselves in this — other cities are going to entertain resolutions as well.”
The county and Atmore will be represented by attorney Ed Hines of Brewton.
“This will affect our children and our grandchildren,” county attorney Thad Moore told commissioners Monday morning. “I think it’s important that we get involved.”
The county’s resolution seeking to join the lawsuit notes that Conecuh County commissioners voted 3-2 in favor of approving the landfill application despite overwhelming opposition to the project.
The resolution also notes that “the Escambia County Commission is charged with the protection of the health, safety and welfare of the citizens of Escambia County.”
A Monday evening meeting of the Flomaton Town Council also found the group voting to join in the lawsuit with Repton, according to reports.
Brewton City Council was expected to take action during their Tuesday evening meeting of the city’s governmental body. Details of the possible decision were not available as of press time Tuesday.
Hines said the City of Orange Beach has also joined the lawsuit, and other cities and counties are expected to take part as well.