Residents of Val Verde came out in numbers and made their feelings about the expansion of the Chiquita Canyon Landfill known – 112 to 0 AGAINST the expansion.

Despite a clear presentation of the amount of money the community would receive from the landfill if it voted in favor of expansion, the community made its voice heard with a resounding vote against it.

Residents came away from that meeting inspired and encouraged. There was a sense of unity and support in Val Verde that I’ve never felt in the 5-1/2 years I’ve lived here. Throughout this process, there has been an engagement level I’ve also never seen.

Many felt like perhaps David could defeat Goliath. Perhaps this small community could take on a large, powerful and well-funded entity like the landfill. There was a feeling that maybe we were winning.

But then the Castaic Area Town Council had a meeting Wednesday, and despite many Val Verde residents again voicing their clear desire that the landfill not expand – and being informed of the community’s recent vote against it – the Town Council voted to accept the contract put forward to it by the Chiquita Canyon Landfill … a contract that included a provision that, if accepted, no one on the Town Council, or their family members, could speak ill of the landfill.

Darryl Manzer’s commentary yesterday covers that vote clearly – and its implications.

The results of that meeting were certainly a disappointment for many residents in Val Verde who have been working tirelessly to ensure that the landfill closes in 2019 as was laid out in the 1997 agreement with Val Verde.

I feel doubt creeping in as many worry that Goliath is just too big. However, I see many other residents preparing to double-down and work that much harder to keep the landfill from expanding.

I would like to see Supervisor Michael Antonovich stand up for the community most affected by the landfill, and I would like to see more Santa Clarita Valley residents paying attention to what is happening. While Val Verde may be the area most directly affected, surely an ever-growing and expanding landfill in our area that has, in the past, violated its terms and accepted sludge, is not in the best interest of the Santa Clarita Valley.

No one seems to be monitoring the air quality in the areas near the landfill. Nor is anyone, to my knowledge, looking into run-off or wastewater or any other environmental impact.

I love living in Val Verde. I’ve met so many wonderful, generous and giving people here, and I’m proud that my community recently stood up and voted clearly for our community’s health, for our environment, and for wellness rather than for money.

But there is still a long way to go to prevent the Chiquita Canyon Landfill from expanding. If you agree and don’t want the dump in your backyard to expand, please leave me a comment and let me know. You should also consider liking Citizens for Chiquita Canyon Landfill Compliance on Facebook to stay up-to-date on the expansion process and to learn how to get involved.

Jennifer Fischer is co-founder of the SCV Film Festival, a mom of two, an independent filmmaker and owner of Think Ten Media Group, whose Generation Arts division offers programs for SCV youth. She writes about her parenting journey on her blog, The Good Long Road. Her commentary is published Saturdays on SCVNews.com.