Hamilton County Citizens Against Harrison Landfill
Residents of Harrison became concerned when they learned of plans to put a 192-acre private dump in their neighborhood, an area zoned for residential housing. Hundreds of surrounding landowners feared damages to their property values and hazards to the health of their families when their rights as property owners were threatened. To make matters worse, the landfill would potentially drain into the waters of Chickamauga Lake, affecting the water supply of the citizens of Hamilton County.
To allow this landfill to be built, the would-be landfill developer applied for a rezoning of this area. The City-County Planning Commission voted 6-5 to recommend approval of this landfill. Following the Planning Commission vote, Hamilton County citizens sought assistance from Waterhouse Public Relations as they readied for the request to go to the County Commission.
2. To generate community-wide awareness of the landfill proposal
3. To educate audiences and gain support for the landfill opposition
4. To garner a “no” vote on the rezoning request
Utilizing a variety of outlets and resources to generate awareness, it’s no wonder more than 3,000 Hamilton County residents readily signed a petition against the proposed Harrison landfill. Waterhouse successfully garnered significant media attention (more than 20 media hits in the month before the vote). When nearly a hundred Hamilton County citizens attended the vote, Council was certainly reminded that this was something the community did not want in their neighborhoods. Waterhouse PR developed a powerful presentation, citing statistics and research on the effects of landfills in neighborhoods, which was delivered by a Harrison resident at the Council meeting.
To allow this landfill to be built, the would-be landfill developer applied for a rezoning of this area. The City-County Planning Commission voted 6-5 to recommend approval of this landfill. Following the Planning Commission vote, Hamilton County citizens sought assistance from Waterhouse Public Relations as they readied for the request to go to the County Commission.
Objectives
1. To develop a strategy for the most effective opposition tactics2. To generate community-wide awareness of the landfill proposal
3. To educate audiences and gain support for the landfill opposition
4. To garner a “no” vote on the rezoning request
Strategy
Waterhouse Public Relations researched the area and the effects landfills have had on communities across the country. Working with the citizens of Hamilton County against the proposed landfill, Waterhouse developed key messages and a strategy for the most appropriate and effective opposition tactics.Utilizing a variety of outlets and resources to generate awareness, it’s no wonder more than 3,000 Hamilton County residents readily signed a petition against the proposed Harrison landfill. Waterhouse successfully garnered significant media attention (more than 20 media hits in the month before the vote). When nearly a hundred Hamilton County citizens attended the vote, Council was certainly reminded that this was something the community did not want in their neighborhoods. Waterhouse PR developed a powerful presentation, citing statistics and research on the effects of landfills in neighborhoods, which was delivered by a Harrison resident at the Council meeting.
