Loss of The South Fulton Citizen

Good Morning Neighbor:

It greatly disturbs me to report that this Saturday will be the last edition of The South Fulton Citizen.  We will be losing a great voice for our community in so many ways.  Ben Nelms the South Fulton Editor will be writing for Coweta and parts of Fayette.  As you all know this is a great, great loss, Ben has been a champion for our cause as a writer who cares about the impact on the Environment and its Citizens.  He has also been a great advocate for the Transparency of Government and made every effort to be at every South Fulton meeting he could to make sure that our community knew what was transpiring among our elected officials.  This will now open the doors very wide for those that wish to not do the right thing by our community and possibly get away with it.

Several of us went and met with the owners of the Citizen hoping that they would give South Fulton a chance to keep the paper alive but I guess they do not have the financial means to do so.  We found out that very few businesses in South Fulton advertise in the South Fulton Citizen and they have had to rely on Fayette advertisements to carry the South Fulton paper for many years.  I also know that more and more people are getting their news online and that is diminishing the need for the printed paper.  

I hope there is someway to turn this around so at least vital meetings in South Fulton could be covered online.  If you have any ideas or suggestions, please feel free to email me or email the paper directly at the  editor@thecitizen.com 

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.

The South Fulton Civic Association is Born - Forum | thecommunityvoice.tv

Hi Neighbor:

I know I just wrote you this morning but I could not wait to get the word out on this new Association.  If an Association such as this were in place when the poisoning of our community occurred, we would have had a strong citizen voice already organized and ready to give immediate action.  With the PSC Plant being located in the South Fulton area, it would have been awesome to have this group to turn to.  So I encourage you to make every effort if you live in the South Fulton area to make sure your neighborhood becomes a part of this organization.  Their first official meeting will be next Monday January 28 - 7pm at Christ Our Hope Lutheran Church on Hwy. 138 near the intersection of Old National.

Your neighbor,

Connie

http://www.thecommunityvoice.tv/forums/topic/32862?page_no=1#141976

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 Very Own Beloved Community

Good Morning Neighbor:

I have often thought that if I had the opportunity to write a book about the tragic event that has taken place in our community, I would also include the absolute beauty of the people whom I am truly blessed to call my neighbors.  Our community exemplifies Martin Luther King, Jr's vision of a beloved community - one that has come together crossing perceived racial, economic and social barriers and we continue down this path to this day.  I personally have been so blessed to continue to meet so many wonderful people - truly kindred spirits who want to make a difference in the lives of others.

I am enclosing an article regarding our community and as you will read some neighbors in our area are dealing with a Corporation who is damaging their homes due to the blasting that takes place at a nearby rock quarry.  Our Task Force will be working with them in the coming weeks to see how we might assist in regaining their quality of life.

Your neighbor,

Connie

http://www.thecommunityvoice.tv/forums/topic-32714-residents-give-legislators-an-agenda-the-citizen

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.

SFF Task Force Speech to the State Legislative Delegation of Fulton County

Good Morning Neighbor:

Well, I must say the first thing I would like to change once entering public office is the Parking around the Capitol Building.  In all seriousness, I think all of the parking spaces closest to the capitol should read "Reserved for The Citizens of Georgia".  Citizens should find it easy to make their voices heard and parking should never be a deterrent for doing so.  One of our community members let it be known last night that it took him a full 30 minutes to even get in the building due to the fact that he needed disability assistance in parking and entering- thereby making him late in speaking before the legislators.  However, I must say there were many committed souls there last night - the room was packed!!

I am enclosing my speech below - I think it was well received and as usual our Task Force did an outstanding job in providing detailed packets to educate the legislators about the needs of our community.  

http://www.thecommunityvoice.tv/forums/topic-31871-sff-task-force-speech-to-the-state-legislative-delegation-of-fulton-county

Representative Fludd announced that he would be putting forth Environmental Legislation next week.  This is the second time the Task Force has heard this - the first time was at the Senate hearings where he announced that he was putting forth Environmental Legislation with the input of the Task Force and then passed out copies of his proposal to the Senators.  We were all stunned when we heard this because he has never come to us with any legislation proposal and asked for our input.  To this day none of us have ever even seen a draft of the proposed bill.  We hope that this is a bill we can truly stand behind - we have fought long and hard and now for our name to be used but in reality not ever given a chance to be a part of the process is a travesty in itself.  However, once we do see the bill and the Task Force feels it is something we can stand behind - I personally will do so 10,000 percent even though Rep. Fludd is my opponent.  I made an internal decision a long time ago that I am not running against Representative Fludd but I am running for the People - so that being said anything that benefits the people I will totally get behind and I do not care who takes the credit!!!

Your neighbor,

Connie

Constance Thomas Biemiller, Chair

South Fulton and Fayette Community Task Force

conniecampaign@bellsouth.net

Web Site - 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.

Reminder of Public Meeting at the Capitol Square

Good Morning Neighbor:

Here is a reminder of the Public Meeting before the Fulton County Legislators.  It is so important to have a packed house at a meeting such as this - the mere presence of your face speaks volumes as to the importance of our community and their need not only to listen but to Take Action!!!  We need them to insist that the State Permit of PSC be revoked due to the harm brought upon their citizens.  This action would set a precedence and begin paving a new road regarding the enforcement of environmental issues all across the state.

Oh yeah, and in the polling of young adults across the nation what is one of their top agenda items when looking at candidates - The Environment - I think we are on to something!!!!!!  It is time for our Legislators to wake up!!!

Your neighbor,

Connie

M E E T I N G     N O T I C E     

 

December 28, 2007

 

The Atlanta-Fulton House and Senate Delegations are sponsoring its annual public hearing on Wednesday, January 9, 2008, at 7:00 pm at the following location:

 

                                                 Room 310

                                                 Coverdell Legislative Office Building

                                                 18 Capitol Square, SW

                                                 Atlanta, GA

 

                                                (Directly across from the State Capitol)

 

 

All residents and members of any organization within the city of Atlanta and Fulton County are invited to attend. Groups are requested to designate one (1) spokesperson to represent the group and speakers are asked to provide a written copy of their remarks for the delegation's records.

 

The purpose of the hearing is to enable citizens to give input and feedback to their state legislators on issues they would like the upcoming session of the Georgia General Assembly to address.

 

Remarks are limited to 5 minutes for organizations, and 3 minutes for citizens.

 

For more information, please contact the House Delegation Office at (404) 656-5149, or the Senate Delegation Office at (404) 651-8804.

 

 

 

 

 

A New Year Begins!!

Good Morning Neighbor:

If you are like me, you are waking up this morning saying, "Where did 2007 go?".   I always heard growing up that the older you get the quicker time flies and I found that to be very, very true.   As a community, we can look back on this year and know we have accomplished a great deal  - so much so that the State Legislature is taking action and we are looking to make lasting changes for the protection of all Georgians.   Your Task Force is awaiting a second hearing at the Capitol hopefully sometime this month.  But in the meantime, we have another chance to let our voice be heard at the Capitol next Wednesday, January 9th at 7pm.  I will post the notice below.  This is a Public Forum that is heard by the Fulton County Delegation which is made up of all  State House of Representatives and Senators from the Fulton County area.  The Task Force is not missing this chance to once again educate and ask for their support in making the necessary changes that need to be made for the welfare of all.  I encourage you to attend and let your voice be heard as well.  An individual has three minutes - you could use that time to strongly encourage this delegation to support the Task Force position and take a bold step to mandate that the EPD remove the State Permit of PSC. (Even though, we know that PSC is very likely to go away in the very near future - the State has yet to do the right thing and remove the State Permit - this is their chance to do the right thing and to let all Corporations in the State of Georgia know that they must protect the citizens of this state by running toxic free operations and if they do not  - their permit will be withdrawn.  This has never been done in the State of Georgia -  no wonder Corporations feel free to do as they please - if they poison a community all they will have to do is pay a fine!!!!!!

Thanks for being a part of this email list and thanks for being my neighbor!  I look forward to seeing you next Wednesday at the Capitol.

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.

 

M E E T I N G     N O T I C E     

 

December 28, 2007

 

The Atlanta-Fulton House and Senate Delegations are sponsoring its annual public hearing on Wednesday, January 9, 2008, at 7:00 pm at the following location:

 

                                                 Room 310

                                                 Coverdell Legislative Office Building

                                                 18 Capitol Square, SW

                                                 Atlanta, GA

 

                                                (Directly across from the State Capitol)

 

 

All residents and members of any organization within the city of Atlanta and Fulton County are invited to attend. Groups are requested to designate one (1) spokesperson to represent the group and speakers are asked to provide a written copy of their remarks for the delegation's records.

 

The purpose of the hearing is to enable citizens to give input and feedback to their state legislators on issues they would like the upcoming session of the Georgia General Assembly to address.

 

Remarks are limited to 5 minutes for organizations, and 3 minutes for citizens.

 

For more information, please contact the House Delegation Office at (404) 656-5149, or the Senate Delegation Office at (404) 651-8804.

 

 

 

 

 

A National Holiday Gift

Good Afternoon Neighbor:

Well, the season of giving just continues giving!!!!  I was thrilled today to see that Congress has ordered the EPA Library to stay open and restore what has been lost (article posted below).  If you remember, many months ago we had a letter writing campaign to ask that the EPA Library not be closed - if it were to close -  information that we have accumulated regarding Ethoprop and many other Hazardous Pesticides would be lost.  It would hinder communities like ours to fight any corporation that is poisoning them.  Thank goodness for the rational reasoning of our elected officials to do the right thing and restore power to the citizens by not only restoring the Library but putting the money there to make sure it is done.

http://www.thecommunityvoice.tv/forums/topic/30640?page_no=1#136118

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.

Walker Brothers Wins Despite Citizens Outcry - Forum | thecommunityvoice.tv

Good Morning Neighbor:

I wanted you to see the outcome of the Walker Brothers Lawsuit.  I am also posting a Letter to the Editor that one of our neighbors Sandra Hardy wrote - she attended the court hearing on the 19th.  As Chair of the Community Task Force, I am hoping to sit down with Walker Brothers in the near future to see if there is a community resolution we could bring to this matter.  This is a locally owned company and I have to believe that they want to have good relations with the community in order to the keep their company profitable.  I will keep you posted in this matter.

http://www.thecommunityvoice.tv/forums/topic/30479?page_no=1#125166

http://www.thecitizen.com/~citizen0/node/23945

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.

A GRAND CHRISTMAS PRESENT FOR OUR COMMUNITY

My Dear Sweet Neighbors:

I cannot think of finer gift than the last paragraph written by Derrick Williams of the Environmental Protection Division.  

God Bless us all during this Season where Light Always Radiates in Darkness - though we despair and do not think it is there - it really is!!!!!!!!

Your neighbor,

Connie

Subject: Re: RE - Your Check of PSC Records

Hi Connie,

Last week I received two calls from Ms.Joyce Conner.  Ms Connor reported a strong chemical odor and request that someone from EPD go to PSC and check the odor out.  On December 12th, I sent two engineers to PSC.  They conducted an inspection of the facility and did not smell any strong chemical odors.  On December 13th, Ms Connors called me at 7:45 a.m. and reported a strong chemical odor that was killing her.  I arrived at PSC at 8:30 a.m.  I walked around the entire facility.  I did not smell any strong chemical odors.  I did smell sawdust and a used oil type of odor at the solidification pit.  I reviewed the in coming loads at PSC for the past week.  I wrote down the descriptions from the waste profile sheet for incoming loads for December 11th and 12th.  No loads were received yet on the 13th.  I call Ms. Connors from PSC and asked if she could still smell the chemical odor and she said yes.  I got directions from Ms. Connor and drove to her house.  We met in her driveway.  She said that she could still smell the chemical odor.  I could not smell anything.  The wind was blowing from Ms. Connor's house toward PSC so the chemical smell that Ms. Connor was smelling was not coming from PSC.  I did go over the waste loads that were received by PSC over the two prior days with Ms. Connor.  She requested that EPD continue to keep a close eye on PSC.  

Incoming waste loads for December 11th were waste water sludge from centrifuging oil reclamation process (10% oil/30-40% water/50 - 60 % inorganic solids), grease trap waste, oil/water separator sludge, soil from gas tank monitoring well installation and latex paint.

In coming waste loads for December 12th were filter cake from laundry, heel rinse containing latex, resin, & polymers (I reviewed the analytical data - not hazardous waste), off-specification Sunny Delight, grease trap waste, and oil/water separator sludge.

While at the PSC facility, I talked with Mr. Jesse Tiffany ( Location Manager).  He reported to me that PSC recently laid-off nine employees.  PSC plans to decommission the solidification pit in January.  The solidification pit will be closed, backfilled and grassed in February.  PSC's business has greatly diminished.  PSC's future plans are to continue to service their customers by bring in small loads of solid waste in containers and shipping out the solid waste when they accumulate a full truck load.  The solid waste will be containerized and there will not be any processing.

I hope you and your family have a Merry Christmas!  - Derrick

Unit Coordinator

Atlanta Tradeport, Suite 104

4244 International Parkway

Atlanta, Georgia 30354

Office (404) 362-4512

Walker Brothers takes Fairburn to Court December 19 - Forum | thecommunityvoice.tv

Hi again Neighbor:

I also wanted to alert you with the article below.  Walker Brothers will be taking the City of Fairburn to Court this Wednesday for standing with the citizens.  

http://www.thecommunityvoice.tv/forums/topic/30143?page_no=1#96367

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.

COMMUNITY BULLETIN

Good afternoon Neighbor:

I wanted to get this message out as soon as possible so that you might alert your local church or synagogue.  I went to my church this morning to find that it had been robbed.  The police officer informed us that there has been a rash of Church Identity Theft in our area.  These thieves went directly with sledgehammers and busted through the inner walls of the church to get to locked offices and then opened the computer towers and stole the hard-drive information.  They also went through our church filing cabinets - they were in and out within minutes.  

I do not wish to see this happen to another House of Worship in our community so please get the word out.  

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.