Following strong words about VIM Recycling's failure to clean up its operations and make loan payments on time, a local environmental group decided to give the company a 90-day reprieve.
The 18-month-old loan of $416,000 could be called by the Elkhart, Indiana, County Solid Waste Management District board in October if the wood recycler does not meet terms of the agreement. Board president Phil Stiver, an Elkhart County commissioner, said, "I do not look for another discussion on an extension of time. I believe (VIM) now fully understands the conditions."
The board voted 4-1 to give the extension, with county councilman Don Abel and Elkhart Mayor Dave Miller also voting yes, but it was unclear whether benchmarks recommended by the county attorney were adopted. Gordon Lord wanted the board to state formally:
* VIM must make all loan payments on time or default occurs immediately;
* All outside storage at the recycler's southeast Goshen site must be removed;
* Dust control remedies at the Elkhart site must be working; and
* All complaints by the Indiana Department of Environmental Management must be resolved and all fines paid.
Stiver did not call for a motion on those points, saying, "The parameters are clear."
The company received money from the solid waste management district to help finance a $2.5 million improvement at its Elkhart facility. Problems with dust and debris have persisted, though, prompting complaints from neighbors and a fine from the state.
VIM president Ken Will told board members the company has made "a lot of progress" despite "glitches and problems that required us to hire a consultant to redesign the project." He said improvements will be finished within a year, and a dust control solution is less than three months away.
Stiver had heard Will's pitch during a private meeting between the two and Solid Waste Management District director Tim Neese a few weeks ago. In opening the discussion, the commissioner said, "I thought the request (for more time) seemed reasonable ... and I see (compliance) as realistic."
Following the meeting, Stiver said, "I think the capital investment that has occurred by this local entrepreneur needs to be respected. ... He is doing a service to the county with the diversion of recyclable material from the landfill. While not ignoring the negative impact of the potential for pollution, I think his actions have been honorable." Elkhart Truth