Rutherford County Chapter - SOCM

Rutherford County's Earth Day Celebration We had a Reduce ♻️ Reuse section of our table where people could take previously donated items after they signed up for SOCM info. This was a big hit to keep items out of the landfill and find them a new home!
We had many great community conversations and “Thank You’s”!
In case you missed us the rain came a little early so we packed up at 12. Thank you to all who volunteered! Let’s do it again sometime🤗
>> Next meeting 4.28.26 6-7:30pm Linebaugh - Murfreesboro Public Library Let’s Pot Luck and Organize ‼️

Do you rent your home in Tennessee? If so, we want to hear from you. We created a survey to learn more about the current housing problems renters in Tennessee are facing. By completing the survey, you will be entered into a drawing for a $50 gift card. Twenty cards will be given; each participant is eligible for one card.

Take the survey: bit.ly/tntenantsurvey

‼️GREAT NEWS ALERT ‼️
Our community has truly come together to make our voices heard regarding the horizontal and vertical expansion of the Middle Point Landfill. We have taken to the streets, attended city and county meetings, made countless phone calls, passed out flyers, tabled at events, and spoken directly with our state representatives. Because of our collective effort, our voices were heard. Reaffirmed the Jackson Law and continue to advocate for other counties throughout Tennessee.
While Middle Point is not officially closed yet and we must remain watchful of any future obstacles that may come our way from BFI, this moment proves something powerful: when we stand united, we can create change.
Let’s keep the momentum going. Together, we can ensure that Rutherford County remains a beautiful place to raise a family—a community that cares deeply about its land, its people, and its future.
We will continue to monitor the situation closely. Please stay connected, stay engaged, and stay involved. Our strength is in our unity, and the work we do today will shape the future of our community.

Court Halts Vertical Expansion of Landfill in Ruling for the City of Murfreesboro

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — The Chancery Court of Davidson County granted the City of Murfreesboro a writ of mandamus, directing that TDEC must cease processing BFI’s application for a vertical expansion of the Middle Point Landfill. BFI tried to circumvent the normal statutory regional board review and instead jumped to filing an application with TDEC for a vertical expansion that would place a 70-foot-high landfill on top of the existing landfill, adding an estimated 19 million tons of waste to Middle Point.

The City of Murfreesboro filed a lawsuit in December to halt TDEC’s review of the application until BFI complied with the Solid Waste Management Act. The City asked the Court to stop TDEC from processing BFI’s vertical expansion application until BFI first submits its application to the Regional Board for local review, including a public hearing where citizens must be afforded an opportunity for public comment. After reviewing the City’s complaint, the Court directed TDEC to halt the review process.

BFI’s proposed expansion comes after the City has expressed numerous concerns regarding the environmental safety of the landfill and its impact on Rutherford County citizens. In the pending federal lawsuit against Republic and BFI, the City recently sent notices of additional and continued violations of the Clean Water Act and Clean Air Act due to test results showing continued discharges of landfill leachate into the East Fork Stones River, which provides drinking water for Rutherford County and City of Murfreesboro residents.

The complaint for injunctive relief and writ of mandamus is available on the City’s website at www.murfreesborotn.gov/Landfill.

Hi friends!

SOCM is collecting video testimonies about our Public schools to start circulating on social media. We would love to have participation from SOCM RuCo team!

Click HERE to find a guide on how to do the videos, talking points, and where to submit. There are pre-written statements you can read or modify, as well as talking points/guides to totally craft your own.

You will notice there are options for vouchers, education for all, and the general Tennessee for All affordability messaging. If you have capacity to do a video for one of our issue areas AND the Tennessee for All one, that would be great!

From there, the SOCM staff will work to make these usable for social media!

Example:
Share your story
Challenge: Tennessee’s budget only works for a wealthy few and corporations, leaving behind Tennessee’s families.
Do you have a story to share about stagnant wages? Struggling to afford groceries? Hopes for your local school budget? How being part of a union has made your life better?
Let’s get some out this week and please share with a friend!

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Kids Not Corporations: PublicSchoolStrong TN Virtual Town Hall & Call to Action!