HANFORD -- The Kings County Planning Commission listened Monday night to both sides of a controversial proposal to expand the Waste Management hazardous waste landfill near Kettleman City.
About 500 people filled an exhibit hall and two overflow areas with television monitors at the Kings County Fairgrounds to hear testimony during a hearing that was repeatedly interrupted by opponents.
Opponents told commissioners they should not approve the expansion until officials determine what caused five birth defects in the area.
But supporters, many of whom wore green T-shirts announcing their support for the landfill, said the facility is safe, needed and should be allowed to expand.
Planning commissioners hoped to take all of the public comments Monday night, but said they would meet again tonight and even Wednesday night at the fairgrounds if more people wanted to speak. The commission was not expected to vote on the expansion proposal until later.
An overflow crowd attended the Planning Commission meeting Monday at the Kings County Fairgrounds.
Opponents said five of the 20 babies born in the Kettleman City area over a 14-month period ending in late 2008 had birth defects, including four with cleft palates. Three babies died, they said.
Fifteen-year-old Miguel Alatorre told commissioners, "If you lived in Kettleman [City] and your child was born like that, you'd be up here too."
However, proponents say Waste Management is a highly regulated and safe place to work.
Rose Salazar, a five-year Waste Management employee, said her health and her daughter's health are the most important thing to her.
"To risk my health and my daughter's health for a paycheck would not be worth it," Salazar said. "There is no evidence that we caused harm, even though [opponents] want you to believe that."
The hearing had contentious moments. At one point, about 40 expansion opponents marched in and interrupted the hearing, chanting "Sí se puede" -- yes, we can. Commission chairman Mark Cartwright warned the protesters to take a seat and be quiet or they would be removed. They were not removed, but a man who had interrupted the proceedings earlier was escorted by law enforcement officers outside the fairgrounds gates.
Bob Henry, who operates Waste Management landfill near Kettleman City, said his industry provides a much-needed service to California -- the proper disposal of hazardous waste.
The Kettleman City facility disposes of paints, batteries, compact fluorescent light bulbs, motor oil, contaminated soil, spoiled food and agricultural pesticides, said Kit Cole, a Waste Management spokeswoman. The landfill is about three miles southwest of Kettleman City.
County health officials say they have no evidence connecting birth defects to industry in the Kettleman City area. But Keith Winkler, the county's director of public health services, said officials have asked the state health department to review more recent data.
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