Prause to citizens: 'Pack the room'

AUSTIN – Tomorrow (Thursday, Dec. 6) marks the start of the contested case hearing on Altair Disposal Services/Clean Harbors’ application for a permit to construct a hazardous waste landfill near its existing dump site in Altair, and Colorado County Judge Ty Prause is asking area citizens to ‘pack their room room’ to show their support for protecting Colorado County’s water supply.

Last week, a pair of administrative law judges assigned to the case in Austin through the State Office of Administrative Hearings denied final motions by the county, Colorado County Groundwater Conservation District, and Rice Consolidated ISD to reconsider a decision denying change of venue to Colorado County for at least a portion of the case.

“Despite numerous good attempts, the folks up in Austin did not see fit to have any portion of the two-week trial here in our courtroom that we made available,” said Colorado County Judge Ty Prause.

“They would rather make it as difficult as they can on us, and make everyone interested in watching the proceedings drive to Austin, even though it is the citizens of Colorado County, our children, and grandchildren that will be impacted if they win,” Prause continued.

“Let’s pack their room in Austin and show them what we are made of,” he encourages area residents.

The trial is set for the State Office of Administrative Hearings (room to be determined), 300 W. 15^th Street, Austin, Texas, starting tomorrow (Dec. 6) and continuing weekdays beginning at 9 a.m. until Dec. 19.