BRISTOL, Va. (WJHL) – A decide has ordered the continuing lawsuit centered across the Bristol, Virginia Landfill to be taken earlier than a Justice of the Peace decide for mediation.
In line with a courtroom order from Senior U.S. District Choose James P Jones, the choice was made after Bristol, Va. moved to take the proceedings to mediation. Jones wrote Tuesday in his order that Bristol, Tennessee – the plaintiff within the lawsuit – objected to the choice.
The order states that even when one of many events in an ongoing lawsuit opposes transferring to mediation, the courtroom could overrule and grant a movement prefer it has on this case.
“It could be that an agreed settlement of this case just isn’t possible right now, as Bristol Tennessee contends,” Jones wrote. He went on to state that additionally it is unclear when and if the efforts made by Bristol, Va. will outcome within the odor disappearing.
Nevertheless, Jones finally cited the claims of Bristol, Va. management who’ve acknowledged that the price of the lawsuit is a “burden on each cities and finally their taxpayers.”
The sister cities will now focus on resolutions to the lawsuit underneath the supervision of a Justice of the Peace decide, and Jones hopes that these discussions might lead to an consequence that satisfies each events.
“At worst, they’ll enlighten both sides as to the opposite’s major considerations, thus laying the groundwork for a future settlement,” Jones wrote.
The case was referred to U.S. Justice of the Peace Choose Pamela Meade Sargent, who will conduct the mediation efforts.
Bristol, Va. beforehand requested the courtroom to dismiss the portion of the lawsuit through which Bristol, Tenn. claimed the landfill was a “public nuisance,” however that request was denied in late December 2022.
The lawsuit has been ongoing since Bristol, Tenn. filed it in May, claiming the odor coming from the landfill was negatively impacting the lives of its residents. The landfill ceased intake of waste in September, and Bristol, Va. leaders have continued efforts to attempt to mitigate the smell.
