Fairburn Meeting

Good Evening Neighbor:

It was so wonderful to see so many come out tonight to express their concern regarding the Transfer Station proposed for the City of Fairburn.  It is evident that you all care about your city and want only the best environment for your family.  I really believe this can be achieved but it is imperative that the citizens stay in the process.  We have already seen this work with PSC and so you know it can work in this situation as well.  As I said in my former email, we must all think about the long term implications of our "trash".  We all create it and we must have an environmentally solid plan to dispose of it.  It will be vital that everyone return for the vote on August 27 at 7pm - same place - same channel.  

Also, please mark your calendar to be at our Task Force Meeting this Thursday night at 7pm at Bethany United Methodist.  The focus of the meeting will be on our media campaign.  We need your help - we must continue to make a difference in State Laws so that we can be assured that this toxic exposure never happens to us again or any other Georgia community.  Cathy Strong heads up this committee and looks forward to your input.

Once again, thanks for being a community that I am so proud to be a part of and one that I readily call home.

Your neighbor,

Connie

Constance Thomas Biemiller, Chairman

South Fulton and Fayette Community Task Force

dcbiemlr@bellsouth.net

770-314-6999

City of Fairburn Public Comment

Good Morning Neighbor:

As you all are aware, I am quite big on letting the Citizen's Voice be Heard and Monday Night is a prime opportunity for you to show your concern.  The Fairburn City Council wants to hear from the public with regard to bringing a Transfer Station into the City.  What is a transfer station?  Well this one will be a station that garbage trucks bring the trash from your house and many others to be sorted and washed down and then moved to other very large trucks and taken to various landfills.  I had the luxury of visiting one not long ago - it was a very busy station and boy did it stink!!  I had great concern for the people who live very close to the station  - one neighbor I spoke with says she cannot have guests over for dinner due to the foul odors because it comes through her air conditioning unit as well.  There are obviously no laws with regard as to how close a transfer station can be to a residence.  Also, the streets were very cracked and therefore caused major cracks in peoples driveways due to the heavy trucks going in and out.

In the big picture, we must all think about what to do with our trash!!  I think the City of Fairburn could be one of the first in Georgia to become an Urban Green Community and with both the citizens and elected officials coming together to think long-term there will be nothing but good to come of this.  Please take a moment and go to www.epa.gov/greenkit/intro1.htm and start thinking about how you want your community to look.

I look forward to seeing you Monday night at Fairburn City Hall at 7pm.

Your Neighbor,

Connie

Constance Thomas Biemiller, Chairman

South Fulton and Fayette Community Task Force

dcbiemlr@bellsouth.net

770-314-6999

Task Force Rebuttal

Good Afternoon Neighbor:

The Task Force has now completed the Health Consultation Rebuttal and I will attach it below.  I cannot thank our Governing Board enough for the countless hours that they put into this document.  I feel so blessed to be called to serve among such wonderful souls!!  The Rebuttal was hand-delivered yesterday to Mr. Sanchez of the GA Department of Public Health.  This report also had attached your Personal Stories, Ongoing Health Reports and Petition Signatures.

I want to welcome the overwhelming number of people who have joined our email list - it is a pleasure to have you with us.  Thank you for taking your time to sign the petition and completing forms - it has not gone unnoticed.

I want to remind everyone of our very important Task Force Meeting this Thursday Aug. 2 at Bethany United Methodist Church - 7pm.  Please come and be involved - let your voice be heard!!

Your Neighbor,

Connie

Community reflects on anniversary of task force meeting | The Citizen Online

Good Morning Neighbor:

Here is your morning reading!!!!  Please blog at the end of the article if you know how to do that sort of thing!!

http://www.thecitizen.com/node/18925

It was great to see so many of my neighbors at the Town Hall Meeting - what was not great - was hearing the ongoing illness that still plagues our community.  We only have a few more days left for our community rebuttal to the health report so please email your letters to me.  We want them to take us seriously - we want our community followed by the State Health Department for the next 25 years.

Also, as you will see from your morning reading there were several of our government and elected officials who did not bother to come and support our citizens.  I am going to include their email information below.  Please email them with your dissatisfaction!!!  

jmperry@dhr.state.ga.us  - State Department of Health

lawbuild08@mail.house.gov - Lynn Westmoreland's Office

jcossey@unioncity.org - Union City Council

administration@fayettecountyga.gov - Fayette County Commissioners

Mark your calendar for Aug. 2 at 7pm Bethany United Methodist - Task Force Meeting  - we will be electing a new Governing Board - It is time for everyone to get involved!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Your neighbor,

Connie

Be Ever Present Tonight

Good Morning Neighbor:

I look forward to seeing you tonight at the Town Hall Meeting at 7pm at Bethany United Methodist Church.  This will be a very informative evening that you and your neighbors will not want to miss.  I am enclosing some articles below that you will find very interesting!!!

I look forward to seeing you tonight!!!!

Your Neighbor,

Connie

http://www.thecitizen.com/node/18623

http://www.thecitizen.com/node/18715

Constance Thomas Biemiller, Chairman

South Fulton and Fayette Community Task Force

dcbiemlr@bellsouth.net

770-314-6999

STAND WITH YOUR NEIGHBOR!!

Good Morning Neighbor:

We had great success this past Thursday!!!  We need even greater success this Thursday by once again showing our support for one another and making a literal STAND for the TRUTH!!  It will be exactly one year ago when we first met at Bethany United Methodist with standing room only because we knew we were being poisoned and now we must do it again and not allow the State Health Department to act as though we were never harmed.

You are going to hear information that you have never heard before at this meeting.  The Citizen and The Task Force uncovered information that was given to the State regarding the exposure of our community last summer but was never shared with us!!

I am attaching a flyer for you to pass out in your neighborhood and pasting it below as well.

I look forward to seeing us all STAND TOGETHER once again.  Our UNITED VOICE has and does make a DIFFERENCE.

Your Neighbor,

Connie

You may not realize how much

You are needed!

Let your voice be heard!

 

You cAN help make important decisions about

YOUR CHILDREN'S FUTURE,

yOUR OWN FUTURE,

thE FUTURE OF THE state of georgia

 

 

Join us at 7 p. m. Thursday, july 19, 2007 at

bethany united methodist church

lees mill and rivers roads, Fairburn

 

 

to review the recently published final report from

the centers for disease control

(and the rebuttal of the south fulton/fayettecommunity task force) on

last year's emissions from the psc plant.

 

be part of the solution!

make your voice heard!

remember the big stink!

stop the next one before it starts!

 

Contact connie biemiller

770-314-6999

 

 

       

At the Four Way Stop Today

>
> Good Morning Neighbor:
>
> Reminder - Come by the Four Way Stop at Bethany United Methodist
> Church beginning at 4pm. We have printed a 1000 flyers regarding
> the Town Hall meeting next Thursday so come by and pick some up to
> put out in your neighborhood. Also, you can sign the petition as
> well and take one to have your neighbors sign.
>
> Media will be covering this event today and next Thursday so please
> come and show a strong visible sign of support. The media must
> know that our community was not lying about what happened last
> summer and we refuse to allow the State to act as if we were just
> inconvenienced by a smell!!!!!!!! State laws must change so that
> the citizens are truly protected with ACTION rather than the
> "Appearance of Action by Validating our Concerns". The ACTION we
> are taking today is the very action that the Department of Health
> should be doing and are paid to do. We truly want to know how many
> of our citizens are still sick and what we can do to make a
> positive difference for their future.
>
> I look forward to seeing you out there,
>
> Connie

Attention Community

>
> Good Morning Neighbor:
>
> Very Important Items!!!
>
> 1. We will be having a Petition Signing and Ongoing Illness
> Report this Thursday - July 12, 2007 - at the Four Way Stop and
> Bethany United Methodist (the Corner of Lee's Lake Road and Milam/
> Rivers Road. We will be there from 4 to 7 pm - plan to come by
> and let your voice be heard.
>
> 2. Town Hall Meeting - July 19 at Bethany United Methodist 7pm -
> let's fill up the Church as we did one year ago!!!! The State
> Department of Health must continue to follow us - for we know many
> of us will not become ill for years to come.
>
> 3. Plan on signing up on the July 19th to be a part of our Task
> Force - we need your
> participation!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Our Task
> Force is highly effective and we want you to be a part of this
> exceptional group that represents our
> community!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
>
> I look forward to seeing you there,
>
> Connie

Reports of Onion Smell

Good Afternoon Neighbor:

I just received emails about a strong onion odor from PSC this week and that there has been unusual traffic at their facility.  If you have further information in this regard or are having acute symptoms, please email me so I can forward the information to the authorities.  Also, do not hesitate to call 911 if the symptoms become life threatening or your symptoms need to be documented with the authorities and Poison Control.  Remember to go to our website for further reporting information at communitytaskforce.org.  If anyone is smelling the onion odor now, please do not hesitate to call me so that I can have someone from the EPD go immediately to PSC.

Your Neighbor,

Connie

Constance Thomas Biemiller, Chairman

South Fulton and Fayette Community Task Force

dcbiemlr@bellsouth.net

770-314-6999

Public Comment

Good Evening Neighbor:

This has been an extremely busy past two weeks for the Task Force.  We have been writing the rebuttal to the State Health Department's Report - or as I call it "their non-report".  We plan to formally present the document to the Department of Health at our Town Hall Meeting on July 19, 2007 at Bethany United Methodist Church 7pm - this will mark one year from the day we had our first Town Hall Meeting.  

As part of our Public Comment, the Health Department asks that you put your comments in writing - please, please do so.  It does not matter if you live directly in our community - you can make a difference by insisting in your letter that they continue to follow our community in the coming years.  They can begin by using serious monetary resources to actually monitor and treat our community through the use of physical exams.  We know that many of us are sick presently and many of us will become sick in the years to come.  They must take our exposure to Ethoprop seriously!  

Please email your Public Comment to me and I will print it for the Task Force Document and then I will send it on to the State Health Department.  We are hoping to have several hundred letters, so please do your part and ask your neighbors to do so as well.  The letters are to be directed to Mr. Sanchez - given below.

Your Neighbor,

Connie

Franklin Sanchez, REHS

Program Consultant

Chemical Hazards Program

Environmental Health and Injury Prevention Branch

Georgia Division of Public Health

2 Peachtree St. NW, 13-456

Atlanta, GA 30303-3142

Fwd: FAYETTE DEMOCRATS TO EXAMINE RECENT TOXIC RELEASE OF CHEMICALS AND ITS EFFECTS ON HEALTH OF FAYETTE RESIDENTS

B

Begin forwarded message:

From: Ariel_K2 <ariel_k2@yahoo.com>

Date: June 12, 2007 10:13:39 AM EDT

To: Me Spencer <ariel_k2@yahoo.com>

Subject: FAYETTE DEMOCRATS TO EXAMINE RECENT TOXIC RELEASE OF CHEMICALS AND ITS EFFECTS ON HEALTH OF FAYETTE RESIDENTS

For Immediate Release June 11, 2007

Contact: Karen L. Kilgo Director-Media Relations 3rd Congressional District 770-315-4727 ariel_k2@yahoo.com

FAYETTE DEMOCRATS TO EXAMINE RECENT TOXIC RELEASE OF CHEMICALS AND ITS EFFECTS ON HEALTH OF FAYETTE RESIDENTS

Brunch Meeting to Be Held in Fayetteville, on Saturday, June 16, 2007, beginning at 10 AM

 

The Fayette County Democratic Committee will gather for a brunch meeting on Saturday, June 16, 2007.  The meeting will be held at Onyxx restaurant in Fayetteville.  The meeting will begin at 10 AM.   Brunch will be available for $7/person.

 

Ms. Connie Biemiller, a clinical social worker and chairman of the South Fulton and Fayette Community Task Force, will inform the Fayette Democrats about the harm that has been brought to our community by the toxic release of the pesticide, Ethoprop.  Many Fayette residents report on-going physical impairment after exposure to this chemical from a waste water treatment facility in Fairburn last year.

 

Ms. Biemiller became a citizen activist in the summer of 2006 when the "onion smell" became prevalent in the Fayette County area.  She began making calls to the state Environmental Protection Division and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and learned that toxic chemicals were being released from a nearby waste water treatment plant.  Ms. Biemiller created a petition and set up signs in her neighborhood to educate and alert her community about this issue.  The South Fulton and Fayette Community Task Force lobbied to have the waste water treatment plant's permit pulled--stopping them from emitting any more toxins into the air and shutting down 90% of their business at their Fairburn location. 

 

Many in the surrounding community still report adverse health effects from exposure to the toxic pesticide, Ethoprop.  Ms. Biemiller believes, from her research in pesticide exposure, that many more in this community will become ill in years to come.

 

The Fayette County Democrats meet on the third Saturday of each month.   Onyxx restaurant is located at750 North Glenn Street (Georgia Highway 85) in Fayetteville.  For directions or for more information, call Judith Moore, Chair, at 770-969-5237 or via e-mail at judith44@bellsouth.net. 

 

-30-

 

Paid for and authorized by the Fayette County Democratic Committee, PO Box 1223, Fayetteville, GA  30214-6223; Judith Moore, Chair; Wendy Felton, Executive Vice Chair; Alice Jones, Treasurer; Not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee.

 

 

 

 

---

Park yourself in front of a world of choices in alternative vehicles.
Visit the Yahoo! Auto Green Center.

Speaking Engagement

Good Morning Neighbor:

I have been invited to speak about our community tragedy at the
Fayette Democratic Meeting this Saturday the 16th at 10:00am. I
would love to have you there!! The more we can get the word out the
better. I will not only be giving a background of events but sharing
some of what I learned in Chicago as well as comparing our scenario
with the Gulf War syndrome. The meeting will be at the Onyx Rest.
at the merger of 314 and 85 in Fayetteville - in the same area as
Bruester's Ice Cream and Big Lots.

I hope to see you there!!

Your Neighbor,

Connie

Home from Chicago

>
> Good Morning Neighbor:
>
> April and I have returned with more information than can be spelled
> out in one email. We made great contacts with Ph.D.s from Johns-
> Hopkins, Berkley etc.... It was so wonderful to see and hear
> others around the country who so understood our plight and are
> willing to do the research with regard to pesticide exposure as
> well as petitioning our government to do the right thing!!!
>
> We also received great news while in Chicago that the Class Action
> attorneys successfully filed for class certification on May 31,
> 2007. As soon as the judge certifies the class, the attorneys can
> begin to speak with all of us directly through emails etc.... I
> know for all of us that cannot happen too soon.
>
> I am thrilled to be back and ready to begin diligently working with
> our Task Force this week to pull together our formal rebuttal of
> the State Health Report.
>
> Your neighbor,
>
> Connie

Many aren’t buying onion-odor study | The Citizen Online

Good Morning Neighbor:

This is a must read.  The Citizen Newspaper is absolutely living up to his name by uplifting the citizen's voice.  At the end of the article there is a place to leave comments - please do so - let our voices truly be heard.  Also, feel free to write a Letter to the Editor at editor@thecitizen.com

Your neighbor,

Connie

http://www.thecitizen.com/node/17311

Memorial Day Announcement

Good Morning Neighbor:

I could not think of a finer day to make the announcement that I plan
on running for State Representative of District 66. This is a day
when we remember all those who have gone before us - ones that often
made a sacrifice of their very life so that the American Citizen's
Voice might always be heard. This is the very reason I am so
compelled to run for office. Our voices are not being heard!!! I
have yet to see our present representative, Virgil Fludd, step up to
the plate. At every town hall meeting, our Task Force has invited
him to take the podium but not once has he even called us in between
times to see how things were going. As I see it, he should have
wanted to take our fight everywhere possible - legislation, public
press conferences etc....

I continue to be driven by the Spirit to do the right thing and I
feel I would be remiss to not take this next step if I thought it
could make a huge difference for our community. In all the many
meetings I have been involved in, it has become more and more clear
that legislation must take place on a State level. We actually do
not even have a law that classifies pesticides as a hazardous
material - no wonder other states feel free to dump theirs here. I
feel if I do not go and do something nothing will get done and we
cannot sit back and allow this to happen to another community in
Georgia - let alone take a chance on a repeat here.

I pray that each and every one of you will join this effort with me.
I can only do this with your support!! Money I do not have but
courage and strength I do!! So it will be by word of mouth and the
spirit of our community that will send me to the capitol in November
2008. I hope you will join my email list at
conniecampaign@bellsouth.net and go to the website that my 14 year
old son just set up for me at myspace.com/conniecampaign

I look forward to your response!!!!

Your neighbor,

Connie

Health Consultation

Good Afternoon Neighbor:

Exactly one year ago this weekend many in our community were unable to grill outside due to the strong onion-like odor in the air.  Thank God many chose not to continue with their cooking outside; however, others like myself were celebrating their child's graduation from high school and held a big barbecue with invited friends.  How tragic to know now that my family and my friends were breathing in a pesticide that could have life altering effects.   This being said - it is ironic that the State Department of Health has just published their final health consultation regarding these events in our community.  I could absolutely weep for hours at their lack of care for our community.  As you will see in the report I have attached below, they are only focusing on the odor and they are only listening to PSC not to what the citizens have so adamantly proclaimed as to illness and our dates of poisoning.  I have just spent several hours outdoors today - rejoicing that a Cardinal has found a home outside my bedroom window because the birds are now free to return but I am so saddened that our government that we pay for will not take a stand to protect us and believe our words before they believe one of a corporate entity.    I am enclosing my remarks below that will be published in The Citizen Newspaper today and in the coming weeks.  Be assured that our Governing Board is writing a very, very strong rebuttal to this report and that we will have another Town Hall Meeting in the very near future so that we can all come together and express our horror at the lack of concern with regard to our Ethoprop Poisoning.

Your neighbor,

Connie

Pesticide Forum

Good Morning Neighbor:

I know that not too many people would be excited to attend a Pesticide Forum in Chicago but I am thrilled.  Our Governing Board has decided to send April Butler, Vice Chairman and myself to this event the first weekend of June.  I guess you could say we do not get out much - all kidding aside though - this is an awesome opportunity to find as many ways possible to help our community.  Many of us will have ongoing health problems due to long-term exposure to the pesticide "Ethoprop" and it is imperative that we become well informed by people who have this specific expertise.   I am enclosing the speaker list so that you might see all of the well educated Pesticide Activists that we will be connecting with at this forum.  Our Governing Board was blessed recently with a donation from a local Family Foundation and a small portion of these funds are being used for our attendance at this event.   

Have an awesome day!

Your neighbor,

Connie

www.beyondpesticides.org/forum/speakers

Task Force Update

>
> Good Morning Neighbor:
>
> Your Task Force is awaiting the final State Department of Health
> report to be released with regard to illness in our area. Once it
> is released, we will have a time for 'Public Comment". It is
> during that period that it may be vital that we have another Town
> Hall Meeting to voice our concerns. The Medical Committee has been
> preparing a document for you to take to your family doctor alerting
> him/her to the depth of your chemical exposure. My doctor has
> ordered a base line neurological so that in years to come she can
> measure any problems I have against what she sees now - you may
> want to encourage your doctor to do the same. We will plan to have
> the flyer for your doctor completed by the Town Hall Meeting (time
> and date to be announced).
>
> Have a wonderful day!
>
> Your neighbor,
>
> Connie

South Fulton Residents

>
> Good Morning Neighbor:
>
> I do not usually do this but I feel that there are laws regarding
> annexation that will have an effect on many of you that are on my
> email list. There is an urgent need for the Governor to veto House
> Bill 725 and I wanted to provide you with an opportunity to
> connect with George Nicholson who is on our Task Force and very
> concerned for the South Fulton Citizens and their continued voice
> in local government. You can email George at
> george@nicholsoncontracting.com and he will give you all of the
> details. As we all know too well, even if you are a Fayette County
> resident, the decisions made in South Fulton will impact us all.
>
>
> May the voices in our community never be diminished!!
>
>
> Your Loud Mouth Neighbor,
>
> Connie
>
>
> P.S. Attached is an article on this matter.
>
> http://www.thecitizen.com/node/16479
>

Ethoprop

>
> Good Morning Neighbor:
>
> I hope you had a beautiful weekend!!! We need many beautiful
> weekends to make up for all we lost last summer!!!
>
> I am attaching a letter that is very alarming and once again
> underlines the dangers of the chemical Ethoprop. To think that we
> were exposed for months to this deadly chemical is beyond my
> understanding. The laws must change in Georgia - right now our
> State does not even recognize Pesticides as a hazardous chemical
> therefore allowing these "Non-Hazardous" sites such as PSC to
> process it. Our Task Force will be pursuing ways in the coming
> months to begin the conversation with legislators to change these
> antiquated laws. I will also forward the following information to
> the Class Action Attorneys - the data given below substantiates the
> harm the Bayer Corporation has brought to our community.
>
> Your neighbor,
>
> Connie
>
>
>
>> April 27, 2007
>>
>> This Open Letter calls on Bayer Corporation to immediately stop
>> trading with highly toxic pesticides. It will be handed over to
>> Bayer´s management on their Annual Shareholder Meeting today. The
>> letter was signed by 154 organizations from 35 countries and by
>> more than 2.600 individuals (see full list at: http://www.eine-

>> welt-netz-nrw.de/html/kampagnen/bayer/home/documents/
>> OffenerBrief_Bayer_deutsch.pdf).
>>
>> Open letter to Bayer AG: Stop the sale of highly poisonous
>> pesticides immediately!
>>
>> Dear Mr. Wenning, chairman of the board,
>>
>> we, the signatories to this letter, call upon the Bayer AG to
>> phase out immediately all pesticide products in all countries of
>> the world which were classified from the World Health Organisation
>> (WHO) as extremly hazardous (1a) and highly hazardous (1b).
>>
>> Despite your announcement in Bayer´s business report of 1995 to
>> stop the sale of all pesticides of the hazard category 1a and 1b
>> until the year 2000, Bayer AG continues to sell such pesticides in
>> developing countries.
>>
>> Activists have requested since the year 2000 to terminate those
>> sales. Regardless of this criticism and your promise, Bayer is
>> still selling pesticides with the following active substances:
>> Ethoprop (1a), Methyl Parathion (1b), Methamidophos (1b),
>> Triazophos (1b) Thiodicarb (1a), Oxydemeton-Methyl (1b),
>> Fenamiphos (1b) and Azinphos-Methyl (1b)
>> (www.bayercropscience.com, 20th of march 2007).
>>
>> This is in contradiction to Bayer's own ambition expressed in the
>> sustainability report 2005: "We aim to acquire a leading
>> technological and economic position in our industrial sector as
>> well as setting standards in environmental protection and social
>> commitment".
>>
>> The World Health Organisation estimates the number of persons who
>> are poisoned annually at 3[1] to 25[2] million. 200 000 people
>> commit suicide using pesticides and more than 40 000 people are
>> killed accidentally by pesticides every year. The estimated number
>> of unreported cases is much higher[3].
>>
>> According to the Bayer AG your company has a world market share in
>> pesticides of 20%. Cases of poisoning could be reduced
>> significantly by the cessation of the sale of class 1 pesticides.
>> The active ingredients are not only dangerous for the direct
>> users. Residues of toxins in spices, tea, fruits, vegetables, meat
>> and textiles harm also consumers.
>>
>> We call on you: Keep your promise and stop the sale of highly
>> poisonous pesticides!
>>
>> An initiative of: Eine Welt Netz NRW (One World Network of North
>> Rhine-Westphalia)
>> Supported by: Coalition against Bayer dangers (CBG) and Pesticide
>> Action Network Germany (PAN Germany)
>>
>> Coalition against BAYER Dangers (Germany)
>> www.CBGnetwork.org
>> CBGnetwork@aol.com
>> Fax: (+49) 211-333 940 Tel: (+49) 211-333 911
>> please send an e-mail for receiving the English newsletter Keycode
>> BAYER free of charge. German/Italian/French/Spanish newsletters
>> also available.
>>
>> Advisory Board
>> Prof. Juergen Junginger, designer, Krefeld,
>> Prof. Dr. Juergen Rochlitz, chemist, former member of the
>> Bundestag, Burgwald
>> Wolfram Esche, attorney, Cologne
>> Dr. Sigrid Müller, pharmacologist, Bremen
>> Eva Bulling-Schroeter, member of the Bundestag, Berlin
>> Prof. Dr. Anton Schneider, biologist, Neubeuern
>> Dorothee Sölle, theologian, Hamburg (died 2003)
>> Dr. Janis Schmelzer, historian, Berlin
>> Dr. Erika Abczynski, pediatrician, Dormagen
>>
>>
>>
>> [1] Public health impact of pesticides used in agriculture, UNEP,
>> FAO, 1990
>> [2] Jeyaratnam J. Acute pesticide poisoning: a major global health
>> problem. World Health Statistics Quarterly 43(3), 139-144, 1990.
>> [3] I LO (2000): International Labour Conference, Report VI
>> (1):Safety and health in Agriculture), 88th Session, 30 May-15
>> June 2000, International Labour Organization, Geneva.
>>
>>

Interagency Meeting

Good Morning Neighbor:

Our Task Force met with representatives from Fulton County, Fayette County, State Dept. of Health and the Environmental Protection Division.   It was a very productive meeting and I could not be more proud of our Task Force.  The knowledge and expertise that our group has amassed over the past 10 months is overwhelming.  One item that we will need to address as a community is the State Health Report that will be presented in draft form to us in the coming weeks.  The DOH assures us that we will be able to make public comment on this before it is put in final form.  It will be imperative that we make our voices heard because this report is very likely to have many errors.  We must also keep the pressure on the DOH to follow our community on a long term basis due to the long term physical maladies that can occur due to persistent chemical exposure over a three month period.  Needless to say, I will keep you informed.

On a lighter note, my children now think I am cool because I am on You Tube.  Evidently, The Citizen Newspaper now has video included on their website of various reports.   Ben Nelms wrote an article regarding the Westmoreland Town Hall meeting - I will copy it to this email and the video as well.  However, as you will see there is nothing cool about any of this.

Your Neighbor,

Connie

http://www.thecitizen.com/node/15914

http://www.thecitizen.com/node/15780

Westmoreland Town Hall Mtg.

>
> Good Morning Neighbor:
>
> I attended Cong. Westmoreland's Town Hall meeting last Tuesday and
> left there astonished as did many in the crowd. I had my hand
> raised for at least 45 minutes as others were having their
> questions or statements responded to. I was finally called on at
> the very end - I told the Congressman that we were aware that the
> Congress would be holding hearings soon with regard to the
> inadequacies of the EPA and that we ask the Congressman to take a
> stand on our behalf with regard to how the EPA has failed us. I
> reiterated that many of our residents may not be physically ill
> today if the EPA had responded and truly protected the health and
> welfare of the community. The Congressman did not utter one word -
> he just stood there shaking his head as if to hear me but nothing
> came out of his mouth. After a few moments of awkward silence, he
> ended the meeting. People in attendance came up to me afterwards
> sharing their concern for our plight and apologizing for the
> Congressman's behavior.
>
> This is not a Republican or Democrat issue - this is about real
> people and real harm and it is time for Congressman Westmoreland to
> make a public stand for what is right. I really fear not only for
> our community but the other communities that he represents because
> this is not a man who is willing to serve for a higher purpose but
> one that serves for his own welfare and benefit. Our Task Force
> has met with his staff via phone and in person to make him aware of
> the dangers to the people he represents and yet he will not defend
> us. He has a real opportunity and is in a position of power to
> make a positive impact but that would mean he would have to step
> out of his comfort zone. We are all called at different points in
> our lives to step out of our comfort zones - I was reminded just
> yesterday on Easter Sunday that I follow One who constantly compels
> me to do so.
>
> Your neighbor,
>
> Connie

Congressman Westmoreland

>
> Good Morning Neighbor:
>
> I am just returning from a short trip and catching up on my
> emails. Please see the email below - I think it is so important
> that we make our voice heard whenever possible. Congressman
> Westmoreland needs to be reminded that the EPA failed our community
> and that there must be changes in the way it operates. One clear
> example is that when the EPA was notified in late June of this
> event they were able to have the DOT hold the tankers that were
> returning to Axis, Alabama and at that moment the contents could
> have been tested. They would have immediately known that our
> community was being exposed to hazardous chemicals and emergency
> steps could have been taken to shutdown the plant - not allowing
> our poisoning another day. But, as we all know this did not happen
> - instead we were exposed for weeks and weeks to come and now many
> in our community are suffering the physical consequences.
>
> I realize this is short notice but your presence always makes a
> difference!!!
>
> Your neighbor,
>
> Connie
>
>
>
>
> Atlanta Journal-Constitution
> Published on: 03/29/07
> U.S. Rep. Lynn Westmoreland will hold a town hall meeting from 5:30
> to 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 3, at the Fayette County Government
> Building meeting room, 140 Stonewall Ave., Fayetteville.
>
>
> All 3rd Congressional District constituents are welcome to attend
> and ask questions. Topics will include the Iraq war spending bill,
> which sets a timetable for withdrawal of troops, and the Democrats'
> budget plans
>
>
>

Our Published Story

Good Morning Neighbor:

Well, I guess no news is good news - no subpoena so far this week!!!

 I am excited to share with you the email and link below on an article that has been published about our community.  So much has happened even since the article was written - I got tired all over again just reading it.  I want to thank Cathy Strong our Task Force Media Chairman for her great work on this article and Laura Hepting from Beyond Pesticides for staying in constant touch with our story and sharing it in such a global way.  Our community is continually blessed to have so many wonderful people step up to the plate to help us make our voice heard.

Your neighbor,

Connie

  

Hi Connie,

Hope all is going well, especially the new developments. Glad to hear you like the article and hope it can be used as a tool for your community as well as ours.

Here's the link: http://www.beyondpesticides.org/infoservices/pesticidesandyou/Winter06-07/silentsummer.pdf

If anyone would like a hard copy, they can email jphilbrick@beyondpesticides.org or call us (202) 543-5450, and we will send out a complimentary copy. Everyone is welcome to try a free trial membership for 6 months as well and we certainly welcome anyone interested in membership. Thanks!

Best,
Laura



Beyond Pesticides will host its 25th National Pesticide Forum, Changing Course in a Changing Climate: Solutions for health and the environment, June 1-3 in Chicago, IL. Details: www.beyondpesticides.org/forum

A Delay

>
> Good Morning Neighbor:
>
> I was served a document yesterday confirming a delay in my
> appearance for a deposition. On one hand, I breathed a sigh of
> relief and on the other hand I am more than ready to appear if that
> is what will kick start this case. It is obvious to me that PSC
> and AMVAC are doing everything they can to deny our community legal
> representation - their fear of the outcome of this case obviously
> runs very deep.
>
> I have also heard from Jeff Cown of the EPD who reports that the
> signs were changed at PSC due to their enforcement to distinguish
> the different areas of the plant. He also reports that they still
> have the State Permit and the EPD is overseeing cleanup and
> decontamination of the tanks that are no longer in use (we have
> been waiting for confirmation of this for a while).
>
> I cannot thank you all enough for your encouraging emails - your
> love and support is absolutely what sustains this community.
>
> Your Neighbor,
>
> Connie

Entering a New Phase

>
> Good Morning Neighbor:
>
> Well, I must say I had a rude awakening Tuesday afternoon when I
> was served with a Subpoena. It appears that PSC and AMVAC have
> hired two high powered law firms (King and Spalding / Alston and
> Bird) - they would like every paper and every email I have ever
> touched and my personal appearance at their offices for a
> deposition. I think we should all take this as a huge validation
> as to the harm they have caused our community - they are definitely
> going to need these guys! (By the way, just for your information
> this is a Federal Law Suit.) The problem is of course that they
> will do anything to try to keep the truth from coming out but I am
> confident that the truth will prevail!!!! I now have legal
> counsel and from this point forward I am silenced regarding any
> legal activity due to this tenuous position. However, I will try
> to keep you all posted as much as possible and ask for your
> constant prayers and support as we enter this new phase of the battle.
>
> Thanks so much for being such a wonderful community of neighbors!!
>
> Connie

Friday was a Special Day

>
> Good Morning Neighbor:
>
> Last Friday was a very special day in two significant ways. First,
> the Task Force awarded Ben Nelms with The Ben Nelms Award for
> Excellence in Environmental Journalism. This award will be given
> annually to a writer who exudes the investigative qualities of Ben
> - one who dares to speak truth to power in order to protect the
> health and welfare of the community. I know many of you may wish
> to thank Ben for all he has done and continues to do to highlight
> the harm to our community - his email address is
> bnelms@thecitizen.com.
>
> Finally, part two to Friday was a call from our neighbor Earl
> Hindman that the PSC sign was begin dug up by workers at the
> plant. On Monday the sign was replaced with a new sign saying "PSC
> Offices". I placed a called to Jeff Cown of the EPD to find out
> what may be taking place and he promised to investigate and get
> back with me. We are hoping that this truly means no more
> operations at this site. Neighbors have been reporting that they
> see fewer trucks going in and out of the property - in fact many of
> the same trucks just keep sitting there. I hope to have news soon
> on this front!!
>
> Have a great day,
>
> Connie

Attorney Information

>
> Good Morning Neighbor:
>
> Many of you have emailed regarding having not received a call yet
> from the attorney's office. We have now realized they are calling
> people in alphabetical order so it may be a while before some you
> are called. The attorney overseeing the interviews is Kasey Sturm
> of Stack & Associates. She works out of their Savannah office -
> her number is 912-598-9724 - her email is ksturm@stack-envirolaw.com.
>
> A small group from our task force will be speaking to the Fayette
> County Commissioners tonight to share our concerns about the last
> 10% operation of PSC - we feel even this operation endangers the
> Fayette County water system and seek to have that formally noted.
>
> Your Neighbor,
>
> Connie
>

Depositions begin tomorrow

>
> Hi again Neighbors:
>
> Just an update to my earlier email. Lina Pitts who lives right
> behind PSC who has been instrumental in forming the class action
> lawsuit has sent the message below.
>
> Connie
>
>
> The class representatives will start depositions as early as
> tomorrow and we really do represent everyone. Please say a special
> prayer for us tonight that we can represent our community well in
> our reponses. Thank you. Please pass on. Lina Pitts
>

Happy Valentine's Day!!

>
> Good morning neighbor:
>
> I wish for you a beautiful and awe inspiring day!!
>
> I know many of you are beginning to get calls from the Law offices
> of Stack and Associates. This is the environmental law firm that
> has been brought in by attorney Scott Zahler to work on our
> community's behalf. Please call them back if they have left
> messages - the class action law suit is to be certified this March
> so it is critical that they have your information. They maybe
> leaving a 912 area code when they call because their Savannah
> office is working on our case as well.
>
> I really feel that our case is going to have far reaching
> implications that impact this company not only locally but
> nationally. So keep telling your story and do not forget to share
> your story or concerns on our website at communitytaskforce.org
>
> Your neighbor,
>
> Connie

Another great Organization has been born!

Good Morning Neighbor:

As I am sitting here typing, the Sun is coming out and it is looking like a beautiful day!  I am so very thankful that this spring and summer we will actually be able to enjoy the outdoors.  We will stop at nothing to make sure that the final door is locked at PSC and the Task Force is working hard behind the scenes to make sure that their last 10% of functioning is no longer in business.

I am sure many of you remember in November just before Thanksgiving the Task Force was notified that there was raw sewage spilled at Landmark Mobile home community.  Our efforts combined with the efforts of the residents resulted in immediate safety issues being addressed.  Since that time, one of our dedicated Task Force Members "Kee" Sierra Leone who lives in that community has established along with her neighbors The Alliance for Safe and Healthy Communities.  They are coordinating efforts with other Mobile Home and Neighborhood Communities to make sure that homeowner rights are taken seriously.  Kee has asked that anyone who would like to be a part of their effort please email her and she will gladly keep you updated regarding scheduled meetings and other important information.  Her email address is toujours_7@yahoo.com - I am enclosing her most recent letter below.

Have a wonderful day!

Your neighbor,

Connie

Alliance for Safe and Healthy Communities

Hello:

We had a good meeting this past week and 3 new neighbors joined us.  We met at the Peachtree City Library on Hwy 54 in Peachtree City. 

We discussed many things that concerned us and the most effective way to go about dealing with them.  The group decided to get a post office box so that letters can be sent out to address immediate issues like the mail boxes and correspondence could be received.

ASHC decided to continue to work with the county in their efforts; we have asked for a meeting with them, which they welcomed and hopefully the EMC of Fayette will join us to discuss some other issue and concerns that residents have.

The next meeting will be, Wednesday, Feb. 14, 2007 at 7:00 p.m. at the Peachtree City Library.  If you live in a MH park or next to one, please come out and join us.

K