We Must Move Forward

Good Morning Neighbor:

It has been amazing to see the love and outpouring of friends of the Hindman family.  Clare was so loved and will be greatly missed.  It thrilled my heart to see the Mayor of Tyrone and City Council members along with Fulton Commissioner Bill Edwards at the visitation.  It is up to us now to move forward and do all we can to make sure that there are lasting changes in Georgia so that another person should never have to suffer in the way that Clare did.

I have included an article below that calls for public comment on the federal level.  The deadline shows August 18 but why not go ahead and let them know we are out here by making a comment anyway.  What is so wonderful about the possible inclusion in the Americans with Disabilities Act is that public areas such as our schools and government buildings would diminish the use neurotoxins in their facilities.  Products that provide the least harm to our children and workers would be mandated for use.  I know it sounds crazy - why isn't it done this way already - but I have to remember before the summer of 2006 I never thought about it either.  We must continue to tell our story again and again so that others will wake up as we have to the silent dangers that are in our air, water and soil.  In fact, there is nothing stopping our local government and schools from taking a stance like this right now - I would encourage you to forward this to those you know who have the power to make a difference.

Your neighbor,

Connie

 

TAKE ACTION: Tell the Department of Justice to Recognize Chemical Sensitivity and Environmental Illnesses as a Disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act.

By Monday, August 18, 2008, submit your public comment on the federal docket. And/or sign on to Beyond Pesticides' comment by Monday, 3:00pm (EST). If you want to sign on, send your name, organization, address, and telephone number to Natalie Lounsbury or call 202-543-5450. Here's Beyond Pesticides' Daily News Blog on the subject. Chemical Sensitivity Omitted from Americans with Disabilities Act Proposed Regs (Beyond Pesticides, August 15, 2008) With a public comment period that ends Monday, August 18, 2008, the U.S. Department of Justice, Disability Rights Section, Civil Rights Division, proposes rulemaking that fails to recognize multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS) and environmental illnesses as a disability. In a public comment to be submitted next week, Beyond Pesticides urges the Justice Department to specifically include as a disability MCS and environmental illnesses in it rulemaking. The organization is urging the public to send comments as well, and invites sign-ons to the Beyond Pesticides comment. The comment says, "The proposed rule errs in omitting environmental illness and chemical sensitivity with a justification that people with the illness may have a "sensitivity [that does] not rise to the level needed to constitute a disability." This statement is false and out of step with environmental medicine that diagnoses MCS as a chemical-induced illness from which patients suffer with debilitating effects. Similar to other disabilities, a diagnosis reflects a finding that patients cannot function as a result of exposure to neurotoxic chemicals. Eliminating the chemical exposure substantially increases their ability to function and lead normal lives." The comment continues, "As an organization whose primary focus is pesticides, Beyond Pesticides is in contact with people who are chemically sensitive and are exposed to pesticides, thus substantially limiting their life activities on a regular basis. These are people whose disability is not well understood or accepted by the general public, which is uninformed about the illness. In conveying their concerns to neighbors, employers or landlords they often receive ridicule instead of respect and accommodation. Without mentioning in the text of the accessibility standards of the ADA that those with chemical sensitivities are indeed protected when life activities are substantially limited and that they have specific access requirements, people with MCS often cannot get their needs addressed without individual lawsuits to prove their disability. This becomes a burden and barrier to protection." The comment points to a 1992 memorandum issued by the Department of Housing and Urban Development which recognizes MCS and environmental illness as a "handicap," with all the protections afforded those disabled by this illness. The comments read, "In a 1992 memorandum entitled "Multiple Chemical Sensitivity Disorder and Environmental Illness as Handicaps," the Office of General Counsel in the Department of Housing and Urban Development clearly defines MCS and environmental illness as "handicaps" within the meaning of subsection 802(h) of the Fair Housing Act, 42 U.S.C. Section 3602(h), and the Department's implementing regulations, 24 C.F.R. Section 100.201 (1991)." Rather than equivocate on this debilitating condition, protection should be ensured under the proposed rulemaking beyond one's place of residence." Beyond Pesticides' comment includes the story and recommendations of a former physical education teacher and coach in Kansas who writes: With proper accommodation, I would still be teaching and coaching today!  Officially recognizing not only the life-changing severity of Multiple Chemical Sensitivity, but also the value of "avoidance" in treating it would help building administrators understand how to keep employees with this disability on the job.  I have many friends who are also disabled by MCS.  Not one of them wanted to quit their job!  But lack of accommodation caused their illness to progress to the point where they could no longer work.  MCS takes a huge toll on individual lives and results in unnecessary loss of productivity.  I urge you to officially recognize Multiple Chemical Sensitivity/Environmental Illness as a disability requiring accommodation for accessibility. The chemical barriers that prevent those with MCS from entering buildings are every bit as limiting as lack of a ramp would be to someone in a wheelchair.  Those with MCS deserve the same rights as other citizens.  Recognizing MCS as a "qualified disability" would go a long way toward achieving equal access for everyone! Beyond Pesticides suggests that the rulemaking include the following language: "Integrated pest management (IPM) practices to protect those disabled with multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS) or environmental illnesses and ensure access are required in public facilities or properties to include  the following practices:  identification of pests and conditions that attract pests; prevention techniques, such as sanitation, vacuuming, structural repair and sealing; monitoring; education and training; approved least toxic chemicals whose use does not, by virtue of its neurotoxic or other properties, impair the abilities of those with MCS; and pre-notification and posting of chemical use."

Read the full text of Beyond Pesticides' comment. Thanks to Mary Lamielle of the National Center for Environmental Health Strategies (NCEHS) for alerting us to this issue. Read NCEHS's comment.

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Connie Thomas Biemiller, Chair

Environmental Institute of Georgia

eiog@bellsouth.net

http://www.thecommunityvoice.tv/

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.

Media Release and Funeral Arrangements for Clare Hindman

GODSPEED, CLARE.  WE WERE GLAD TO KNOW YOU

 

Lois M. Speaker, Ph.D.

    South Fulton and Fayette Community Task Force

  

This week, in the midst of all the necessary activities that fill your life, take a few moments to think prayerfully about what Clare Hindman's family and friends and neighbors are undergoing as they bid her goodbye and turn off the machinery.  Think of Clare herself over the last two years, struggling to maintain her personhood and her identity as the symptoms of Lou Gehrig's disease (ALS, or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) ate relentlessly at her body, destroying her and all she held most dear.  And think about why this terrible disease might have happened to Clare, one of the most gracious, loving and gentle of Southern ladies, who led an active, healthy lifestyle surrounded by adoring family.  Consider that she might have died this frightful death chiefly because of where she lived, about half a mile from the so-called PSC "waste treatment" plant in south Fulton County.  [See "Waste plant stirs up stink," Atlanta Journal Constitution Metro Section page 1, Sept. 15, 2006; also see numerous articles, editorials, blogs and broadcasts by Ben Nelms and others published in the Citizen newspaper and website between May 2006 and the present).

 

Anyone who smelled the rotten garlic odor two years ago was exposed to the chemical associated with it, an oranophosphorus (OP) pesticide called ethoprop.  Scary as it may be, think of this happening to anyone among your own nearest and dearest.  OP poisoning might have sidled into your household, eventually attacking in the form of  ALS, other nervous system damage, cancer or any of a huge variety of the ills that flesh is heir to.   The rate of disease development may be slow – many cancers don't show up for several years – but it is inexorable.  Clare's ALS was atypical in many ways, increasing the suspicion that its cause was unique.  It worsened unusually fast, very rapidly taking away her speech, her ability to swallow, her independence at every level.  But every morning for as long as she could, says her daughter Cindy, "Mama got up in the morning and made herself pretty for the day."  Her usual outing with her husband was lunch at Chick-Fil-A in Peachtree City, where the staff would grind up her favorite menu and Earl would feed it to her through a tube.  

 

Why do I insist on telling you such unpleasant things, describing ugly and threatening conditions that could destroy your serenity?   Why should you react to the illness and death of Clare Hindman with a more generous passion than you usually feel at the death of a stranger?  After all, we can't yet prove beyond the shadow of a doubt (although experts in the field have been making great strides) that Clare's ALS was caused by the OP-laden air that pooled around her home every day for monthsBecause Clare was our neighbor, a friend to some of us, and because many of us were exposed to the same poison that she ingested.  

 

.  Nevertheless, we can show you long lists of others who also detected the horrendous odor and claim they were made ill by whatever was causing the odor and that many of their pets died because of it.   A statistical research team from the respected Veterinary School of a large midwestern university, analyzing data from pet clinics associated with a large chain of pet supply stores, found increased incidence of respiratory problems and eye inflammation in a 20-mile radius around the PSC plant during the period over which ethoprop was released. Does anyone seriously question whether the Tokyo subway deaths of several years ago were caused by Sarin (a "nerve gas" chemically related to PSC's MOCAP "waste?")   If so, the Japanese system of justice was grossly mistaken in convicting and punishing those who were found to be responsible.

 

Who is ultimately responsible for fixing these problems?  We are!  Only we can vote into office the men and women who will institute legislation to protect us.  In particular, Georgia governing officials at all levels must establish control over our rapidly cascading "real estate development" and its inevitable accompanying issues of waste creation and management.  Not tomorrow, but NOW!  Our present uncontrolled situation allows such grotesqueries as whipping up froths and fogs of pesticide-loaded mixtures and distributing them for months at a time over hundreds of square miles of formerly pristine countryside (the PSC "incident"); and, building new homes near Old National Highway virtually to the lip of active granite quarries.  Routine blasting by Vulcan Materials not only destroys the fabric of the homes but also creates an atmosphere laden with granite particles that can cause mesothelioma, an incurable lung condition

 

We all should care about Clare's death because she was a fine human being who probably would have enjoyed many more years of fulfilling life if PSC had been forbidden to repeatedly contaminate her environment with a material that is known to be so dangerous that a group of Nicaraguan banana workers recently was awarded $7million.  The court agreed that ethoprop had rendered these men sterile.  We should care about Clare's death because it may well mirror our own exposures to dangerous materials it the environment.  We should care about Clare's death because it is a warning:  "Take care," she tells us in effect, "be very aware of what you are ingesting from the water, the earth, the air, and what it may do to your body and, especially to your children's bodies, because they get higher doses of all environmental contaminants.  Take responsibility.  If you don't, who will? And when?" 

 

The environmental regulations in this state are pitiable, formulated in the mistaken and outdated notion that the best way to draw industry here is to offer "laizzez faire" across the board.  For all practical purposes, Georgia's industry can do whatever they want with whatever material they want, no holds barred and no matter who gets hurt. " Compliance" is a joke We require a new agency that understands and strongly enforces the proper management and disposal of reactants, products and waste materials, a capability that EPD does not have. We Georgians must elect educated officials who understand the importance of "cradle to grave" management of materials in a new era of environmental responsibility.  If she could, Clare Hindman would tell us that we need legislation to keep us from being a garbage can for more forward-thinking states like Alabama.  She was a lovely lady, and she is missed.  

FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS ARE AS FOLLOWS:

EVENING VISITATION 5-8PM - MONDAY AUGUST 25 - PARROT FUNERAL HOME -  http://www.parrottfuneralhome.com/

FUNERAL SERVICE - 11AM - TUESDAY AUGUST 26 - PEACHTREE CITY CHRISTIAN CHURCH -  http://www.ptcchristian.com/

GRAVESIDE SERVICE FOLLOWING FUNERAL SERVICE - BETHANY UNITED METHODIST -  http://www.gbgm-umc.org/bethany-fayetteville/

(The family has requested that in lieu of flowers please give to these organizations that were near and dear to Clare's heart - Peachtree City Christian Church http://www.ptcchristian.com/ - Action of Faith Ministries http://aofministries.org/ - Cystic Fibrosis Foundation http://www.cff.org/ )

Connie Thomas Biemiller, Chair

   South Fulton and Fayette Community Task Force

Environmental Institute of Georgia

eiog@bellsouth.net

http://www.thecommunityvoice.tv/

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.

Our Dear Friend Clare Hindman Passed Away This Morning

Good Morning Neighbor:

Earl called me this morning to let me know that his dear, sweet Clare went home to her loving Father this morning at 3:30am.  All of the family was around her when she passed as Earl told a story of another past family adventure.  Clare loved stories and loved to laugh - she was a great story teller herself and even when she could no longer speak she would still try to tell me a story on paper when I came to visit.  

I will write more later today as funeral arrangements are confirmed.  The family asks for your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.

Your neighbor,

Connie

 

Connie Thomas Biemiller, Chair

South Fulton and Fayette Community Task Force

Environmental Institute of Georgia

eiog@bellsouth.net

http://www.thecommunityvoice.tv/

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.

Connie Thomas Biemiller, Chair

Environmental Institute of Georgia

eiog@bellsouth.net

http://www.thecommunityvoice.tv/

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.

E Waste and Our Inside Track To The Democratic Convention

Good Evening Neighbor:

Well my heart was overcome with pain when I saw this video about the discarding of our Electronic Waste in Ghana http://www.thecommunityvoice.tv/video/277129-electronic-waste-in-ghana.html .  You will understand when you watch this video - it is no different than having pesticides dumped in your backyard because there are no laws to protect you.  The same for the people in Ghana because there are no laws of protection there - American Corporations can quickly disguise their garbage as second hand goods and literally dump them in their backyard.  After viewing this video, I began to research where our community might have some assurance when discarding our electronics to be truly recycled.  I spoke with Peggy Denby the Director of Keep America Beautiful in Atlanta.  They offer E Waste recycling and truly try to learn and have guarantees that the waste will not be dumped in another country.  Go to http://www.keepatlantabeautiful.org/programs/Grady-Midtown_rec-eWaste.pdf .

On a much brighter note,  I have had a wonderful call from Erin Marie Glynn who is an elected District 3 Congressional Delegate to the Democratic Convention.  She is an avid environmentalist and is employed by the Sierra Club as a Grassroots Organizer focusing on Energy Policy in Georgia.  She is very impressed with our website and would like to use it as a tool to inform us via blog, pictures and video to give us an insider's view into the convention.  She will be informing us on any environmental initiatives that become a part of the Democratic Platform as well.  So be sure to check the website http://www.thecommunityvoice.tv/on a daily basis in the coming days to hear from Erin - she may post some pre-convention news very soon and would love to have your blogs responses or questions.  

If anyone knows a Republican Delegate, please ask them to call me and post as well during the Republican Convention.

Your neighbor,

Connie

Connie Thomas Biemiller, Chair

South Fulton and Fayette Community Task Force

Environmental Institute of Georgia

eiog@bellsouth.net

http://www.thecommunityvoice.tv/

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.

Religious Congregations are going Green

Good Morning Neighbor:

I just returned from a trip to the Grand Canyon which was a vast reminder of our need to care for this earth and all of its beauty.  I have had the pleasure to get to know an organization that partners with Churches to help them promote this care for our earth - Georgia Interfaith Power and Light.  If you are a member of a congregation, please pass this website forward to your worship leaders - http://www.gipl.org/home.html .  I was reading through their most recent newsletter and it appears that there are ways you can help your place of worship to save money on its energy cost and provide educational materials for classes and special services.

I am also including this link  http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/06/technology/06green.html?_r=1&emc=tnt&tntemail1=y&oref=slogin - this article provides you a way to reduce the electrical cost of your personal computers for free.  I encourage you to take advantage of this - if each person on this community email list did this - our community alone would save more than $10,000 in energy cost - so I say let's get it done!!

Your neighbor,

Connie

Connie Biemiller, Chair

South Fulton and Fayette Community Task Force

Environmental Institute of Georgia

eiog@bellsouth.net

http://www.thecommunityvoice.tv/

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.

Energy Savings

Good Morning Neighbor:

If you are like me, you are finding this heat hard to handle as of late.  I hope that there will be relief in the days to come - a wonderful down pour would be so welcome!  

Please see the link below - this article gives you information about www.greenmadesimple.com- this site appears to be very helpful when looking to energy efficient purchases and receiving rebates for doing so.  The neatest thing is that you are able to put in your zip code which gives you specific information on your electric company and local stores offering  incentives.  I will also place this site as a link on our web channel http://www.thecommunityvoice.tv/ for your future reference if needed.  

Article - http://world-wire.com/news/0807210001.html

It is going to be extremely important that we as a community begin to share ways to reduce our energy output therefore reducing our monthly expenses that are ever increasing in this time of crisis.  If you know of helpful resources, please let me know.  Also, if you have other neighbors who would like to be a part of our community email, please let me know their name and email address and I would be more than happy to include them as well.    By the way, welcome Woodward Estates III to our community email (another great neighborhood banning together for the betterment of all).

Your neighbor,

Connie

Connie Biemiller, Chair

South Fulton and Fayette Community Task Force

Environmental Institute of Georgia

eiog@bellsouth.net

http://www.thecommunityvoice.tv/

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.

he Power Of Incumbency

Good Morning Neighbor:

I am personally not disheartened whatsoever this morning!!!  We absolutely gave it our very, very best!!  The love and generosity that outpoured from this campaign was enormous and my gratitude for everyone who played a part is overflowing!!

It was not just this campaign but campaigns across the board yesterday that the incumbent sailed to victory.  It didn't even matter if the incumbent was under an ethics investigation by the State itself - because you are the incumbent you still won.  Our political system has made sure that those who are in the club stay there no matter their track record while in office.

If we as citizens truly want to have a voice in who represents us, then we must find ways to level the playing field.  Those that are in power now are certainly not going to find a way to level it.   Some have mentioned term limits, some have mentioned an Independent Party - I myself am open to any and all suggestions.  

The main focus is that we as citizens feel empowered and protected and I will continue to do all I can to see that this happens!!

Your neighbor,

Connie

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 Vote Sends a Message

Good Morning Neighbor:

Your Vote will make all the difference tomorrow not only in making sure our community has a passionate voice at the State Capitol but also because we as a community are once again about to make a very, very big statement - Money and Corporations do not trump the Citizen.  Trust me - we are going to win and when we do tomorrow night it will make news headlines.  The power of the Citizen has returned and it is our vote that counts not someone's dollar. 

 You must make every effort to get your neighborhood to the polls tomorrow.  Your call to your neighbors today reminding them of what we have been through with the  PSC  toxic poisoning "onion smell", the Fairburn Waste Transfer Station, the Oakley Detention Ponds and the Red Oak Quarry Damage is all that is needed for them to know that their vote is truly needed.  They know that when we come together we always make a huge difference for the betterment of everyone.  

Tell them to vote for Connie Biemiller (you may have to spell the last name).

 I am excited about the possibilities for our future and I am so ready for the Challenge!!!!!  Thanks again for caring enough about our community to make a difference!!!!!!

Your neighbor,

Connie

Send Connie (our own Erin Brockovich) to the Capitol July 15

Her Leadership Opens Doors for The Betterment of All

Connie Biemiller, GA House Candidate District 66

Serving The South Fulton and Fayette Community

P.O. Box 1593

Fairburn, GA 30213-1593

conniecampaign@bellsouth.net

Web Channel - http://www.thecommunityvoice.tv/

770-314-6999

Please Contribute at

http://conniescampaign.chipin.com/connies-campaign or

make a check payable to connie's campaign and mail to the address above

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.

You and I are just a dollar figure!!!

Good Morning Neighbor:

I am enraged at the article below printed in the AJC today.  The Environmental Protection Agency has put a literal dollar value on our life - once again giving corporations and the government another way out of valuing human life.  We are now worth a whole lot less!!!  At this point, I beg you to look beyond politics and send me to the Capitol - we must demand change - we must make sure that our State Environmental Protection Division doesn't follow this cost analysis of human life.  I am including an email flyer below for you to email to everyone you know - we must get out and vote July 15!!!!!

http://www.ajc.com/news/content/news/stories/2008/07/10/Value_of_Life.html?cxntnid=amn071108e

On a brighter note, the EPD informed me yesterday that the closing plan for the solidification pit at the Philip Services Corporation was approved July 3rd so our Task Force will be asking for specific sampling etc. during this process.  (Of course with our lives worth a whole lot less - I wonder if it will even be economical for the EPD to do so).

I know that there are others all across our State who are awakening to the insanity.  And those that have not awakened should go with me today to visit our dear, dear neighbor Clare Hindman who is now on a feeding tube - her life means more to us than anyone will ever know and the reason why this fight will never stop!!!

Your neighbor,

Connie