County Commission commits additional funds to fight Roberta

By Editor | January 28, 2026 |

County Commission commits
additional funds to fight Roberta

By Shane Gilreath
SCN Contributing Editor
[email protected]

Photo by Shane Gilreath
Cumberland Clear’s Jennifer Shockley addressed the Winfield Mayor and Aldermen on October 21, 2025.

Following weeks of community anticipation, the Scott County Commission met last Tuesday and formally introduced a resolution reaffirming its support for the Scott-McCreary Environmental Coalition (SMEC) and its ongoing legal and investigative efforts opposing the proposed Roberta II landfill. The coalition, which officially came together in July, has increasingly become a unified front for local governments across both Tennessee and Kentucky. Citizens across multiple jurisdictions have expressed deep concern about the project’s potential environmental, wildlife, and economic impacts.
As of press time, all Tennessee municipalities participating in SMEC have successfully passed similar resolutions, each committing $15,000 to help fund the continued fight against the landfill. Attention now turns to McCreary County, where the Fiscal Court is scheduled to consider the issue on February 12, 2026, in Whitley City. While no McCreary officials have, thus far, commented publicly ahead of that meeting, McCreary County Attorney Austin Price previously emphasized the gravity of the matter, stating in July, “We believe it is a very important issue and maybe the most important issue we face.”
The Scott County resolution to perpetuate SMEC funding passed unanimously, though not without a moment of discussion. Commissioner Davis Jeffers briefly raised concerns that county taxpayers could eventually grow weary of bearing the financial burden associated with prolonged litigation and investigation. Other commissioners responded by underscoring what they described as overwhelming public opposition to the Roberta II and a strong mandate from constituents to continue resisting the project.
Those sentiments were echoed during public comment by Jennifer Shockley, the oft-seen President of Cumberland Clear, the citizen based organization founded in large part to fight Roberta II, who addressed the Commission and County Mayor Jerried Jeffers to express gratitude for their continued support. Shockley highlighted the collaborative nature of SMEC, calling it an unique but powerful example of local governments working together toward a shared goal.
“What we’re doing here is a unique story,” Shockley said. “When you have governments coming together to work together and problem solve, that is very unique. We’ve had people reach out to us from across the state. I truly believe what we’re doing is making a difference.”
Eyes now turn northward to Kentucky. SCN will continue to follow the story.