Jul 22, 2009 9:00 am US/Pacific
Your Comments: Proposed Petaluma Asphalt Plant
(CBS 5)
Use the link to share your comments on the proposed Petaluma asphalt plant. Responses are below.
From Beverly in Petaluma:
Thank you to CBS5 for covering the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors non-decision today.
I am sad that some of the members of the Board seem to be deaf when it comes to the public, but very responsive when it comes to moneyed interests. I am sad that the majority on the Board did not act with integrity and make a decision. Instead, they chose to drag out this process and waste our time in more hearings.
How do you mitigate something that is unacceptable no matter what size it is? We don't want to see it; we don't want to hear it; we don't want to breathe it; we don't want to smell it. Why should we change the General Plan for this!
There have to be more sensible solutions to the need for transportation. What kind of democracy do we have when the public demands that the Board respect the General Plan, and the Board instead shows more consideration for a large, wealthy industry?
We are not going to "go away." This is our home. The health of our children and our environment is not negotiable and cannot be bought.
From BeeDub in Petaluma:
Um, Cheryl...? Please direct your anger toward the South Sonoma County Supervisor Mike Kerns, as he has sold us down the river. The Petaluma City Council has unanimously opposed this project. And we will not rest until this horrible plan is shut down.
From Susan in Petaluma:
To Paul, Richmond: "Also, what alternatives are the women offering as to where to put the plant? My guess might be in poor areas like where I live where people are not always as organized to fight. "
Actually, Paul, an alternative site has already been submitted to the Board of Supervisors. I believe the recommended site is to the rear of the local dump on Meacham Rd. in a far less densely populated and less sensitive area and neighborhood.
Contrast this area with that adjacent to Haystack Landing and neighboring affected properties. The noise there cannot be mitigated. Dutra will pay to replace windows on one side of residents' homes, at the lowest bid, however (and this is a costly however), they will NOT pay repair costs for damage discovered when the windows are replaced.
Had homeowners had the resources to replace their windows, it's likely they would have done so, but now they will have to bear the added and likely exorbitant repair cost. Furthermore, these same residents will be trapped indoors due to excessive noise.
From Paul in Richmond:
While I am inclined to side with the mothers I feel this was sloppy and biased journalism. I did not feel I got a balanced report from both sides. Maybe two seconds were devoted the asphalt plant defending itself.
I live in an area where there are many asphalt plants in a very dense urban setting. There are at least three between where I live in Richmond and the Bay Bridge. Two of them are within 100 yards of bird sanctuaries and less than that for people's homes. Maybe CBS should do a story about that too?
I am very liberal but I want both sides so I can make up my mind. I can always go to KPFA in Berkeley if I want just the left side. Sloppy work guys, very sloppy.
Also, what alternatives are the women offering as to where to put the plant? My guess might be in poor areas like where I live where people are not always as organized to fight. We know we all need asphalt no matter what kind of car we drive. Now if CBS had been able to prove payola to the politicians from the asphalt company that would be different.
From Susan in Petaluma:
The proposed asphalt plant property is located in the County, not the City of Petaluma. Dutra and their supporters profit, while Petalumans pay with risk to their health and home. Reporter Schaub's coverage this evening is a breath of fresh air, and clean and fresh air is the "Moms" and our goal. Wrong Plant. Wrong Place.
From Joanne in Petaluma:
I walk at Shollenberger every day. It is bad enough with the shamrock company when they are working. I can't imagine the noise that will follow if this asphalt plant is built. This is a wetland and is a protected area.
Dutra is the wrong plant, at the wrong place, at the wrong time. If they build it many people will stop going to the park, including me. I am not going to risk my health. I have too many problems and loud noises and fumes trigger my migraines. So, it will be another thing that Petaluma has ruined!
From Cheryl P.:
Something doesn't "smell" right when it seems as if this plant was trying to be sneaked through! Either Petaluma is so greedy for revenue money that they are willing to turn a "blind eye" to the possible dangers of this plant coming in, or could there be a "kick back" issue here? I don't trust these plants for one minute! They say they are safe, and then the next thing you know, you find out they have been dumping toxic waste into our water!
Why do they NEED to be by a park/nature preserve? We're they denied elsewhere, but now they have found "willing" Council people, who don't mind gambling with their resident's health? These are elected officials who are playing God, but if they allow this plant to be built, they'd better be prepared to say bye-bye to their posts, next election day!
Also, I would remember each Council person, and when the first violation of the health standards is found, I would hold them accountable! If they are taking bribes from the company, I would give them a nice trip to jail! Who needs asphalt anyway? There have to be less toxic alternatives! If we keep polluting our Earth, there will be no people left to use the asphalt roads, etc; anyway! It is time to take a stand for our Earth and its people, and stop exploiting them for the God of money!
From Marjorie H.:
Thank you for your excellent segment this evening featuring the important work of Moms for Clean Air in Petaluma. This "David and Goliath" story is a testament to the love that mothers have for their children and the way that love can benefit the whole community. There is no safe level of air pollution and it's time for us to stop placing business interests over the well being of our community's children! Thank you for your respectful reporting.
From Dave in Petaluma:
The Moms For clean Air are to be commended for their work at spreading the truth on this fiasco of an asphalt plant, but they are far from alone. Our local newspapers were complacent in keeping the truth from the public. So when the truth started to come out, a viral campaign to spread that truth erupted in Petaluma.
Many veteran Petaluma political activists are on board, especially the amazing David Keller. But the most fantastic element are those who had never been all that active in local politics, like the Moms For clean Air, who found out this hidden truth, got upset and did something about it. We have a better community for the activism that this asphalt plant has generated. Now it's up to our so-called county leaders to listen to the voices of the people and not the special interests of one profiteer.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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