Taking a Stand

Good Morning Neighbor:

It was another one of those moments since our community event in 2006 that a word of truth had to be spoken.  The TV cameras arrived yesterday afternoon at the National Environmental Public Health Conference during the "Listening Session" where communities and governing bodies come together to be heard as to changes they feel need to be made in the handling of toxic events.  Yet the Director of the ATSDR and the host of the listening session - Dr. Howard Frumkin - did not stay to listen which tells me more than I need to know.  So much happened during the meeting and the conference at large that I will need to write an email at length over the weekend.  Channel 2 stayed and filmed our community story and then interviewed me more candidly outside the conference doors.  Just before we started filming, Tom Jones got the news that the Department of Natural Resources Board confirmed the nomination of Allen Barnes as the Director of the Environmental Protection Division.  We were both stunned but felt it was important to go through with the story anyway.  It is also my understanding that he starts the job today.  So why the rush?  Why was there no time given for public comment about this appointment?  I am scared to see in the coming months the actual outcomes of his appointment -  not being protected but further harmed is my fear.  

Your neighbor,

Connie

Constance (Biemiller) Thomas, Chair

South Fulton and Fayette Community Task Force

Ph. -770-314-6999

As Margaret Mead once said:

Never underestimate the power of a few committed people to change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.

UPDATE

Neighbor:

Very important - Tom Jones from Channel Two wants to interview me tomorrow at 10:30 but I told him it would be even better if he was at the Listening Session tomorrow at the Environmental Conference at 2pm.  He can film our story again and then interview us all together.  So you must come and stand with me!!!!!  Go downtown on I 85 to exit 248 C stay to your left and get on International and park at the $3.00 parking at the first hotel on your left and then walk across the street to the Sheraton.  It is very easy to get to - trust me.  

I hope to see you there!!!!  It will be in the Grand Ballroom on the second floor.

Your very angry neighbor,

Connie

National Conversation Public Listening Session

A National Conversation Listening Session will take place on Wednesday, October 28, 2009 from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm in the Athens Room of the Sheraton Atlanta Hotel (Sheraton Atlanta Hotel / 165 Courtland Street NE / Atlanta, GA 30303).

 

Conference participants and interested members of the public can attend this open, facilitated discussion to exchange ideas and explore issues related to the National Conversation. Potential discussion topics include the National Conversation structure and process; lessons learned from the nation's historical approach to public health and chemical exposures; the nation's current shortcomings, gaps, and redundancies; and high priority options for better protecting the public from harmful chemical exposures. NCEH/ATSDR staff, RESOLVE staff, and others involved in the National Conversation project will engage in the discussion and collect participant input. This event is free and open to the public.

Constance (Biemiller) Thomas, Chair

South Fulton and Fayette Community Task Force

Ph. -770-314-6999

As Margaret Mead once said:

Never underestimate the power of a few committed people to change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.

Important Announcement about new EPD Director

Good Afternoon Neighbor:

I had to take a moment out of my day to get this to you!!!  Please read below - this is the firm that represented PSC against our community!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Your neighbor,

Connie

Begin forwarded message:

K&S lawyer will head EPD

Perdue recommends Allen Barnes . . . (Oct. 26, 2009)

Gov. Sonny Perdue has recommended the appointment of F. Allen Barnes, a partner with the King & Spalding law firm, to replace Carol Couch as director of the state's Environmental Protection Division (EPD).

Perdue's nomination is expected to be approved at Wednesday's meeting of the

Georgia Board of Natural Resources - whose members include another King & Spalding partner, Dwight Davis.

The appointment of Barnes had been widely rumored among environmentalists and is seen as a show of support by Perdue for the energy industry, especially the power companies that want to build coal-fired generation facilities in Georgia.

"This is a coup d'etat," said environmental lobbyist Neill Herring.  "This is the Tanner-Barmeyer takeover of DNR-EPD moving into its completion phase,

less than two weeks after a K&S [King & Spalding] lawyer got put on the DNR Board.  K&S is real worried about the two coal power plants they are representing, and are unwilling to take any more regulatory chances with EPD."

Herring was referring to former DNR commissioner Joe Tanner, who's now a powerful lobbyist for developers, and Patricia Barmeyer, a King & Spalding attorney who has represented the company trying to build the coal-fired Longleaf power plant in southwest Georgia.

Perdue's recent moves with the Department of Natural Resources, which includes EPD, appear to have put King & Spalding and its energy clients in the driver's seat where Georgia's environmental policy and regulation are concerned.

Davis, who has represented the gas marketing firm Scana for King & Spalding,

was appointed to the Board of Natural Resources by Perdue on Oct. 1.  He will be able to vote on the confirmation of his colleague, Barnes, at Wednesday's board meeting.

Couch, the EPD director since 2003, abruptly announced her resignation last week and gave one week's notice of her departure, saying she would leave the

environmental agency as of Oct. 26.  That cleared the way for Barnes to take

over the division immediately.

Barnes was chief of staff for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Region Four from 2002 to 2005, a region that covers eight southeastern states.  As chief of staff Barnes worked with state environmental directors and with EPA's senior staff on regulatory, enforcement, permitting, and policy issues.

Before working at EPA, Barnes taught natural resource policy and law as an associate professor at Mississippi State University from 1996 to 2002.

"Allen brings a wealth of environmental and management experience to this position," Perdue said. "His impressive government and academic background ensures he will successfully lead EPD as they continue to be responsible stewards of our most precious natural resources."

C 2009 by Capitolimpact.com

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Free Webcast and Remember Your Voice is Needed

Good Evening Neighbor:

I have returned today from a satellite forum on Toxic Mold  - so much to do and so little time for all of our neighbors who recently experienced flooding.  I want to remind you about your moment to speak this Wednesday at the National Conversation Listening Session - see below for details.  Also, I am sending you a link for a free webcast of the keynote speakers at the National Conference on Public Health and the Environment.  I am especially interested in hearing Tuesday morning's speeches - see that link as well for details.  I hope to see as many as possible on Wednesday!!!

Your neighbor,

Connie

National Conversation Public Listening Session

A National Conversation Listening Session will take place on Wednesday, October 28, 2009 from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm in the Athens Room of the Sheraton Atlanta Hotel (Sheraton Atlanta Hotel / 165 Courtland Street NE / Atlanta, GA 30303).

 

Conference participants and interested members of the public can attend this open, facilitated discussion to exchange ideas and explore issues related to the National Conversation. Potential discussion topics include the National Conversation structure and process; lessons learned from the nation's historical approach to public health and chemical exposures; the nation's current shortcomings, gaps, and redundancies; and high priority options for better protecting the public from harmful chemical exposures. NCEH/ATSDR staff, RESOLVE staff, and others involved in the National Conversation project will engage in the discussion and collect participant input. This event is free and open to the public.

Webcast Link  -  http://www.vodium.com/login.asp?lib=pn100753

Constance (Biemiller) Thomas, Chair

South Fulton and Fayette Community Task Force

Ph. -770-314-6999

As Margaret Mead once said:

Never underestimate the power of a few committed people to change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.

Your Voice is needed October 28th

Good Morning Neighbor:

I participated in my first national conference call with the Chemical Emergencies Work Group for the National Conservation on Public Health and Chemical Exposures program.  By the end of the 90 minute call, I had run my mouth so much about the chemical exposure incident in our community they asked me to do a presentation at our first face-to-face meeting in Baltimore next month.   

At first, I was frustrated with myself for always having to call things like they are. But then I was glad I did. Because now we will finally get the opportunity to tell our story to some people who have the power to make a difference (such as Homeland Security - EPA and so many more).  

Over the next few weeks, I will be working overtime to pull together a PowerPoint and a short film for my presentation.  Luckily, I'll be able to use the information developed by Dr. Speaker and all of the material we compiled for our testimony at the State Capitol.   

I will also be participating in the upcoming National Conference on Public Health and the Environment, which begins this Sunday here in Atlanta. I am including an email about the conference and I especially want to note that there will be a free listening session on Wednesday.  This would be the perfect time for you to tell the CDC and Public Health exactly what went on in our community. It is also a time to make them aware of any other public health issues such as quarry residue inhalation and other housing issues such as mold. A victory for a public agency would be to have no public comments during the listening session. That would reinforce their position that change does not need to take place because they gave the public a chance to speak up and no one did so it must not be that big of a problem.   

Make next Wednesday a priority -- they need to know we are still here!!!

Your neighbor,

Connie

P.S.  Carol Couch has resigned as Director of the Environmental Protection Division and will be taking a position with UGA.

Constance (Biemiller) Thomas, Chair

South Fulton and Fayette Community Task Force

Ph. -770-314-6999

As Margaret Mead once said:

Never underestimate the power of a few committed people to change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.

National Conversation on Public Health and Chemical Exposures

October 2009 Project Update

Greetings,

 

Thank you for your interest in the National Conversation on Public Health and Chemical Exposures. Read on for the latest information about National Conversation activities and opportunities for you to get involved. As always, please e-mail nationalconversation@cdc.gov with any questions or comments.

 

Project Status

 

As you may know, the National Conversation project was launched with a day-long meeting on June 26, 2009.  Meeting summary information is available on the National Conversation project Web site. Since the kick-off meeting, project work groups have stood up to address the following topics related to public health and chemical exposures:  monitoring, scientific understanding, policies and practices, chemical emergencies, serving communities, and education and communication. An explanation of the membership selection process and membership lists for each work group are posted on the project Web site. Work groups will meet monthly, either by teleconference or in person, over the course of the project. Initial teleconferences are currently underway and the first face-to-face meetings will be held in November in Washington, DC and Baltimore, MD.  Meetings will be open to members of the public by request on a space available basis.  Each work group will prepare a report for inclusion in a final action agenda.

 

In addition to work groups, a project Leadership Council has convened and will meet for the first time in December. The Leadership Council includes a wide range of expertise and perspectives that will provide project guidance throughout the process and will develop the final action agenda. A current list of Leadership Council members is posted on the project Web site.

 

Check the project Web site regularly for project updates.

 

Opportunities for Involvement

 

2009 National Environmental Public Health Conference

 

The 2009 National Environmental Public Health Conference, taking place October 26 – 28, 2009 in Atlanta, Georgia, will feature several activities related to the National Conversation:

 

National Conversation Public Listening Session

A National Conversation Listening Session will take place on Wednesday, October 28, 2009 from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm in the Athens Room of the Sheraton Atlanta Hotel (Sheraton Atlanta Hotel / 165 Courtland Street NE / Atlanta, GA 30303).

 

Conference participants and interested members of the public can attend this open, facilitated discussion to exchange ideas and explore issues related to the National Conversation. Potential discussion topics include the National Conversation structure and process; lessons learned from the nation's historical approach to public health and chemical exposures; the nation's current shortcomings, gaps, and redundancies; and high priority options for better protecting the public from harmful chemical exposures. NCEH/ATSDR staff, RESOLVE staff, and others involved in the National Conversation project will engage in the discussion and collect participant input. This event is free and open to the public.

 

"Protecting the Public from Toxic Exposures" Plenary

 

In addition to many relevant breakout sessions, conference participants can attend "Protecting the Public from Toxic Exposures," a plenary session on Tuesday, October 27 from 8:30 to 10:30 am. Dr. Howard Frumkin, M.D., M.P.H, Director, National Center for Environmental Health/Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry and National Conversation co-chair; Paul Anastas, Ph.D., Director, Center for Green Chemistry and Green Engineering & Teresa and H. John Heinz III Professor in the Practice of Chemistry for the Environment, Yale University; and Christine Norman, Director, Risk Assessment Bureau, Safe Environments Program, Health Canada will participate in this plenary.

 

Note:  If you will not be attending the conference, keynotes and plenary sessions will also be available by live webcast. Please register for the conference webcast in advance.

 

National Conversation Booth

The conference exhibition will include a National Conversation project booth. Conference participants can stop by with any questions or comments on the project. Project staff will be available throughout the exhibition, and project co-chairs Dr. Howard Frumkin, Director, NCEH/ATSDR, and Nsedu Obot Witherspoon, Executive Director, Children's Environmental Health Network, are tentatively scheduled to be at the booth Tuesday, October 27 from 12:00 to 12:30 pm. Look for us just outside the exhibit hall at Booth 48.

 

 

Future Opportunities

 

Keep your eye out for more information about the National Conversation Community Conversation Toolkit and web discussion forums. We expect to implement both of these project components in early 2010.

 

Warmly,

The National Conversation project team

Learn more >>.

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