08/18/2006

News in brief

WRS drops suit against neighbors

FROM STAFF REPORTS

WILLIAMSBURG — Countersuits filed against two residential neighbors of Williamsburg Receiving and Storage were dismissed by the company.

Complaints against Nola Boals and Robbin Bustance were dropped by the company Thursday, after it alleged the two women interfered with the cherry processing company's business relationships by contacting a local bank and one of its sales clients about ongoing environmental problems there.

The women are part of a neighborhood group that joined a state Department of Environmental Quality lawsuit against the company over pollution at the site.

Boals called the countersuit "a scare tactic" but was relieved it's been dismissed.

"I'm glad I don't have to go to court," she said, while also denying any intent to hurt the company financially.

"I never, ever tried to prevent people from doing business with them," Boals said.

WRS attorneys Joseph Quandt and Gina Bozzer did not immediately return calls on Thursday.

See related stories:

• Plant neighbors get warning - Aug. 16, 2006
• Processing plant odor lawsuit to get hearing - Aug. 13, 2006
• EPA studies emissions from WRS facility - July 4, 2006
• WRS may appeal ruling allowing neighbors to intervene - May 20, 2006
• Locals, groups join in WRS lawsuit - May 11, 2006
• Plant opposes neighbors' efforts - May 2, 2006
• Neighbors want to join plant lawsuit - April 18, 2006
• State approves cleanup plan at fruit processing plant - March 16, 2006
• Group issues report on WRS - Feburary 9, 2006
• State lawsuit targets WRS - Feburary 7, 2006
• Processing plant's environmental issues linger - January 29, 2006
• Sewer plant to accept 5 million gallons of waste - January 19, 2006
• County, WRS are in talks - January 13, 2006
• No decision on intervention - December 22, 2005
• Proposed legal action against WRS on agenda - December 20, 2005
• Industrial waste spews from storage lagoon - November 14, 2005
• Complaints of odors lead to DEQ inspection - July 23, 2005

See related editorials:

• Neighbors have the right to demand some fresh air - July 16, 2006
• It's time to put an end to a cherry plant mess - February 7, 2006