PSC update

Good Morning Neighbor:

Please see the email below with regard to the PSC settlement.  

Also, there has been great news with regard to the rescinding of prior Heath Assessments such as the one given to our community - see the article below with regard to the poisoning at Camp Lejeune.  The ATSDR is now admitting to using flawed information.  It is up to our community to make sure that the same is done for us.  We absolutely know that our community was not truly documented - not one person was ever seen or interviewed by the ATSDR so how could they have ever even generated a report.  http://science.house.gov/press/PRArticle.aspx?NewsID=2448

Your neighbor,

Connie

Begin forwarded message:

From: "Scott Zahler" <smzahler@goetz-zahler.com>

Date: April 29, 2009 9:51:36 AM EDT

To: "'Connie Thomas Biemiller'" <eiog@bellsouth.net>

Subject: RE: PSC

The Final Fairness Hearing was moved back by the Court to June 1^st  due to moving back the claims deadline which moved the schedule back.  If the Court gives final approvement of the settlement during that hearing, settlement payments will be sent 45 days after that.   Thanks

 

Scott M. Zahler

Goetz I Zahler, LLC

900 Circle 75 Parkway

Suite 700

Atlanta, Georgia 30339

 

770-431-1107 Direct Dial

770-431-1101 Fax

 

smzahler@goetz-zahler.com     Email

www.goetz-zahler.com              Website

 

Updates for our Community

Good Morning Neighbor:

Earth Day was a great success and I am including a link to some of the pictures taken that day.  http://www.eiog.org/ed-photogallery.htm

Also, there is a an upcoming West Fayetteville Bypass meeting and I am including a link for that article and meeting time.  If you live in North Fayette and South Fulton, this is a meeting you will want to attend.  This road will impact Hwy 92, West Bridge,  Rivers Road subdivisions, Lees Mill and Sandy Creek area.  Many in our community will be losing their homes in the very near future.  The county can take their homes without all of the transportation and environmnental permits in place.  And, as you know - if this can happen in your neighbor's backyard it can happen in yours.  http://www.thecitizen.com/~citizen0/node/36341

And lastly, I subscribe to FDA updates and since this is about the Swine Flu - I felt you all should be updated as well.

FDA Authorizes Emergency Use of Influenza Medicines, Diagnostic Test in Response to Swine Flu Outbreak in Humans
Mon, 27 Apr 2009 18:57:00 -0500

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration, in response to requests from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, has issued Emergency Use Authorizations (EUAs) to make available to public health and medical personnel important diagnostic and therapeutic tools to identify and respond to the swine flu virus under certain circumstances. The agency issued these EUAs for the use of certain Relenza and Tamiflu antiviral products, and for the rRT-PCR Swine Flu Panel diagnostic test.

Your neighbor,

Connie

Connie Thomas Biemiller, Chair

South Fulton and Fayette Community Task Force

www.thecommunityvoice.tv

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.

Earth Day Event Tomorrow

Good Morning Neighbor:

I have been so extremely busy coordinating Earth Day I can hardly
remember my name. It is going to be a great event, we have over 50
vendors who are going to be there. Captain Planet will be there in
full costume at 10am to meet your kids or grandkids and ready to take
them through the hay bale maze. Danielle Venokur will be there from
the Mother Nature Network to teach us how to throw a "green " party
inexpensively. You can learn how to make your own rain barrel, worm
compost and a whole lot more. We will have vendors there who will be
selling gluten free recipes, handmade soaps and gifts etc... For a
full view of all of the vendors and the times of educational
presentations, please go to our website at www.fayettecoearthday.org
and click on the left hand side of the screen the Event Map. Also,
come ready to purchase something from our cookout - bring a blanket
or sit at one of our tables under the trees next to the lake and just
enjoy the beauty of the day.

We will also have recycling there - so bring your old tennis shoes
and cds - we want to see them recycled. Also, the Town of Tyrone
will be recycling electronics tomorrow please see the attached
article http://www.tyrone.org/node/68

I hope to see you at this great event - an event that brings us all
together for the higher good.

Your neighbor,

Connie

P.S. See the flyer below - Earth Day will be held at Drake Field next
to the Peachtree City Library on Hwy 54.

http://www.eiog.org/files/edFLYER-large.pdf

The Endangered Flint River

Hi all:

As many of you may know, the Flint River was listed in the top 10 most endangered rivers last week.  Dennis and I had the privilege of going down to the Flint to discuss what was happening with the river -  see the article below published in The Citizen today.

http://www.thecitizen.com/~citizen0/node/36231  

One of the most important things to note is GA EPD is only recommending that one eat one bass from the river once a week due to Mercury contamination - copied below from the EPD report that took me forever to find on their website.  Women were fishing as we visited and they were unaware of any mercury contamination.  There are no signs posted to warn people and to tell them consumption recommendations.   

Flint River (Spalding/Fayette Counties) Flint River Basin 

Species Site Tested Recommendation Chemical 

Largemouth Bass Ga. Hwy. 92 1 meal/week Mercury 

Spotted Sucker See Above No Restrictions  

 Dennis Chase has done extensive research on the Flint and it is noted in his research the total lack of wildlife in the river just below the airport.  In scanning the EPD report below - there was no EPD measurement taken in area around the airport.  

 http://www.gaepd.org/Files_PDF/gaenviron/fish_advisory/GADNR_FishConsumptionGuidelines_Y2007.pdf

We hope that you will find all of the above helpful to further protect our community.

Connie

Connie Thomas Biemiller, Chair

Environmental Institute of Georgia

P.O. Box 280

Fairburn, Georgia 30213

(O) 770-964-4864

(C) 770-314-6999

(Fax) 770-964-6165

www.eiog.org

Education about the environment, in the environment, and for the environment.

.

Beyond Pesticides Conference

Good Evening Neighbor:

A most interesting conference - especially when they directly spell out the neurological disorders that are directly linked to organophosphate poisoning - Ethoprop - see Dr. Kamel's studies below.  The research is clear that our varying disorders and the high chance that many of us will become ill in the next 10 to 20 years is overwhelming.  And, is exactly the reason we must hold the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) to the fire to follow our community's illnesses.  I am including a link again so you can hear the failure of this agency to do their job.  The Georgia attendees - of three - made a public proposal to the Washington D.C. based group Beyond Pesticides that we collaborate on a new document "The Citizens Proposal for Environmental Protection"  and present it at the "National Conversation" that is being formulated by Dr. Howard Frumkin - Director of ATSDR.  You can rest assured I did not mince words - I am tired of having "conversations" - I believe if you are in the position of power to make a positive change with regard to immediate help for the health and safety of people it should be in action - no conversation needed. But, since it appears that there is an inability on their part to proceed - we will have to give them the guidelines for making something happen not 10 years from now BUT NOW.  Which brings me to another point - I cannot tell you how disgusted I am that we spent time and much effort testifying at our State Capitol in November of 2007 and no action has been taken whatsoever to correct the Georgia Environmental Protection Division.  Did they just have us there to speak to get us off of their back - it appears so!!  I hope for something very different on the national level.

http://science.house.gov/publications/hearings_markups_details.aspx?newsid=2376

There were many wonderful speakers at this conference who have published very well written books and I am linking them below as well.  

The Task Force will be meeting on the 13th and will begin preparations for the National Conversation!!!

Your neighbor,

Connie

Connie Thomas Biemiller, Chair

South Fulton and Fayette Community Task Force

Philip Shabecoff, co-author of the new book Poisoned Profits: The toxic assault on our children, served as chief environmental correspondent for The New York Times for fourteen years. Mr. Shabecoff also founded Greenwire, an online digest of environmental news and was selected as one of the "Global 500" by the United Nations' Environmental Program. His previous books include A Fierce Green Fire: A History of the American Environmental Movement.

Alice Shabecoff, co-author of Poisoned Profits: The toxic assault on our children, is a freelance journalist focusing on family and consumer topics. Her work has appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Christian Science Monitor, and the International Herald Tribune, among other publications. She was executive director of the National Consumers League and Community Information Exchange. Her previous books include A Guide to Careers in Community Development.

Freya Kamel, Ph.D. is a staff scientist at the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) at the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Dr. Kamel's focus is on environmental determinants of neurologic dysfunction and disease, in particular, neurodegenerative disease. Dr. Kamel's research team which linked pesticide exposure in North Carolina and Iowa pesticide applicators to an increased risk of diabetes, showing that all seven pesticides examined contributed to a 20-200 percent increase in risk. Dr. Kamel has also studied the links between pesticides and Parkinson's disease and retinal degeneration, a leading cause of blindness. See her NIEHS studies.

Jim Hightower is a national radio commentator and author of many books, including his latest, Swim Against The Current: Even A Dead Fish Can Go With The Flow. Mr. Hightower has spent three decades battling the Powers That Be on behalf of the Powers That Ought To Be. Twice elected Texas Agriculture Commissioner, Jim has become a leading voice for those who no longer find themselves within shouting distance of Washington and Wall Street. He's a modern-day Johnny Appleseed, spreading the message of progressive populism all across the American grassroots.

Billboard Legislation was Defeated

Good Evening Neighbor:

I am happy to report that the billboard legislation was a very close
call but was defeated. Thank you to all who sent letters to our
State Legislators - your voice really does make a difference and it
truly did in this case. The billboard lobby has money and the only
way it was defeated was from massive letters and phone calls from
citizens who care. Please see this link to see if your
representative stood beside you by voting Nay to SB 164 - http://
www.legis.ga.gov/legis/2009_10/votes/hv0410.htm - several of our
South Fulton and Fayette Representatives voted Yes which is so
disappointing.

Cindy Mathews and I will be attending the Beyond Pesticides
Conference in North Carolina this weekend and I am looking forward to
learning more as to how to advance our community cause.

Your neighbor,

Connie

Connie Thomas Biemiller, Chair
South Fulton and Fayette Community Task Force
www.thecommunityvoice.tv

U.S. House Hearings Tomorrow!!

Good Evening Neighbor:

See this link below - hearings are beginning tomorrow with regard to the inadequacies of the ATSDR - Health Consultation.  Take care when you read the report - it has pictures of how toxins harmed animals and it is not for young eyes.   As you will see,  our story is the same as so many stories across America and it is tragic to say the least.  You can also view the webcast tomorrow beginning at 10am.  

I want to thank our Task Force for the hours of research that enabled us to give solid input into these hearings.  Even though our story is not sited here, you must know that this House Committee is well aware of what happened in South Fulton and Fayette counties - we made sure they received documentation, emails etc... to support our case.

http://science.house.gov/publications/hearings_markups_details.aspx?NewsID=2376

Your neighbor,

Connie

Connie Thomas Biemiller, Chair

South Fulton and Fayette Community Task Force

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 Canoe Trip!!!

Hi all:

Reminder - our canoe trip deadline is almost here. The trip will
take place two weeks from this Saturday the 28th. You do not want to
miss this special trip - I am looking forward to the serenity and
beauty of it all. Many of you have already registered and we will be
sending out confirmations soon.

http://www.eiog.org/ChattRiverTrip.htm

Connie

Connie Thomas Biemiller, Chair
Environmental Institute of Georgia
www.eiog.org
770-314-6999

Environmental Alerts

Good Morning Neighbor:

As many of you know, our task force has members such as Earl Hindman
who has such broad knowledge of organophosphate research he should be
given is Ph.d.. Earl has yet again found a significant study that
significantly impacts our community - knowledge we should have been
given right after the poisoning. However, as you will read it is
something we must all take seriously now and for years to come.

http://apt.rcpsych.org/cgi/content/full/6/5/356

I also have a second alert!! Please read the article below with
regard to the clear cutting of trees along our highways to make more
room for billboards. I personally find our highways an
embarrassment. Especially along south Interstate 75 where the roads
are littered with billboards with adult content. Instead of focusing
on the beautification of Georgia, we are allowing the greed of
industry once again to dictate how we live environmentally and
morally. I hope that you will join me in sending letters to the
House Transportation Committee where this bill (SB 164) now resides.
Request boldly that they not allow this bill on the House floor for a
vote and let us begin thinking about the beautification of Georgia
and what message we want to send to the millions who travel our
roads. I want to thank Representative Virgil Fludd for his quick
response to my email regarding this matter and I absolutely know we
can all make a positive change for Georgia if everyone will flood the
transportation office with emails. See the links below and please
forward this information to everyone you know!!

http://www.ajc.com/metro/content/metro/stories/2009/02/26/
billboard_trees_legislature.html

http://www.legis.state.ga.us/legis/2009_10/sum/sb164.htm

Click on the Representative's name to go to their email.

http://www.legis.state.ga.us/legis/2009_10/house/Committees/
transportation/gahtrans.htm

Your neighbor,

Connie

Connie Thomas Biemiller, Chair
South Fulton and Fayette Community Task Force

Environmental Giving

Good Morning Neighbor:

As some of you may know, something very dear to my heart is providing mental health services to those who are most in need (those that suffer from schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, post traumatic stress disorder and severe depression resulting in suicide attempts and hospitalization, etc..)  With State cutbacks, we have been at risk of not being able to provide these services in Fayette County but most recently the community has come together and has a commitment to provide a rent-free building for these services.  The building is now being constructed - please see the article and video below - it is truly amazing to see people from all over coming together to make a huge difference in lives of people they do not even know.

As the building is being constructed, the Board Directors of the Environmental Institute of Georgia has decided to solicit donations from the environmental community to supply green components to the building such as low VOC paints, lighting sensors, recycling units etc....  Mr. Bill Holland - an environmental architect and who serves on the board - offered his services free of charge sometime ago to look over the building plans and made a wonderful list of possibilities to incorporate if possible during the construction.  So please look at the attachments regarding this build and see where you might be of benefit.  You can go online to make your donation at http://www.legacybuild08.com/or mail in a check - mark your donation "environmental".

Two Articles of Interest

Good Evening Neighbor:

See below two articles written by Ben Nelms of The Citizen Newspaper that I thought you would want to read.  As always, we appreciate all that The Citizen does to bring cutting edge environmental reporting to our community.  It concerns me that with the diminishment of newsprint we will lose more and more of our local reporting.  Please do all you can to support your local paper no matter where you live.  It is a vital function to keep the balance of power in the political process by providing an outlet for the citizen's voice to be heard.

Have a wonderful evening.

Your neighbor,

Connie

Private lawsuit filed against Philip Services Corporation

http://www.thecitizen.com/~citizen0/node/34930

Article on the Environmental Institute of Georgia

http://www.thecitizen.com/~citizen0/node/34926

Connie Thomas Biemiller, Chair

South Fulton and Fayette Community Task Force

Environmental Institute of Georgia

www.thecommunityvoice.tv

www.eiog.org

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.

An Opportunity Not Too Many Get

Good Morning Neighbor:

Last fall I was invited to canoe the southern portion of the Chattahoochee River and was floored by the beauty of our community's river.  Since that time, the Environmental Institute of Georgia and the Institute for Place Based Learning has been working to set up a trip for the community and here it is.  

http://eiog.org/ChattRiverTrip.htm

I encourage you to take advantage of this opportunity - it is one you will not regret.  I am in no way an experienced paddler and I found this trip to be a breeze.  I hope to see you there on March 28 - we are sure to have a fantastic time.

Your neighbor,

Connie

Connie Thomas Biemiller, Chair

South Fulton and Fayette Community Task Force

Environmental Institute of Georgia

www.thecommunityvoice.tv

www.eiog.org

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.

A Jewel to Our Community has been Given

Good Morning Neighbor:

I am absolutely thrilled to announce that the Environmental Institute of Georgia has been named the Trustee of the Fairburn Nature Preserve - 310 acres of beautiful green space.  Please see my speech below and keep a watch on www.eiog.org for more information about the Preserve and how you can become involved.  This land is to be held in perpetuity for the environmental benefit of the community - we all just got a huge economic and socially restorative raise.

Your very thrilled neighbor,

Connie

Good Evening Mayor Hannah and City Council

 

I would like to take a moment of your time tonight to speak to you about an improbable journey and the power of a coalition.

 

As most of you know, in the summer of 2006 I came before you with an environmental crisis that was plaguing our community.   I had never before that time even considered myself as an environmentalist – I knew I always cared about recycling and I definitely cared for people but that is as far is went.  But as for many of us, the plans we made for our life are not those that the Spirit has in mind and often we are awakened to a new calling through crisis.  We also know that what is intended for harm can always be turned for good and that is the reason I stand before you today.

 

Something marvelous has taken place environmentally in the City of Fairburn.  A vision has been set into motion, the players are in place and a journey that is far reaching and one created for the higher good of many is on the horizon.   The Fairburn Preserve is one of wonder and inspiration to all who visit there.  With its rolling hills and old growth trees, it beckons scientific curiosity and calms the soul in a serene sense all in the same breath.  In its majesty it has called the community to it and we who have been sent to provide its care and are honored in so doing. 

 

Through the partnership of the Mayor and City Council, the Environmental Institute of Georgia and the new Fairburn College Campus, we stand to create something that not only the City of Fairburn can be proud of but the State of Georgia as well.  We are creating a space for education, preservation and restoration spurring economic development for the city and creating a sustainable life for the community and all those students that pass this way.

 

When many cities are only beginning to contemplate how to green their community, Fairburn stands ready to begin to reap the monetary rewards of a green partnership.

 

I would like to take the opportunity now to introduce the Environmental Institute's Board of Directors (for readers go to www.eiog.org ).

 

I would also like to recognize Dr. Muigwa and Ms. Condon of the GA Military College who bring excitement to this partnership as well for what it will do to expand the knowledge and applicable learning base for their students.

 

Thank you for creating a vision and know that the Environmental Institute stands ready to bring this vision to a very prosperous reality.

 

Connie Thomas Biemiller, Chair

South Fulton and Fayette Community Task Force

Environmental Institute of Georgia

www.thecommunityvoice.tv

www.eiog.org

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.

EIOG and Earth Day

Good Morning Neighbor:

I have several exciting announcements.  The Environmental Institute of Georgia now has their website ready for your use - go to eiog.org .   We are extremely excited about all that the Institute has to offer and will be offering in the future.  Get ready to participate and have a great time doing it.   

You will see we are coordinating this year's 2009 Fayette County Earth Day.  You will find the earth day link on the eiog website or you can always go to fayettecoearthday.org .  I encourage you to come out to our Information Meeting on January 29 at 7pm - Peachtree City Hall to see how you or your organization might get involved in our Earth Day Event.

In a time, when life feels so bleak on a national level, I can tell you there is great hope when our community comes together and celebrates our commitment to a life of prosperity through preserving our environment that not only sustains us but the generations to come.   So dust off your shoes and get involved - the possibilities are endless.

Your neighbor,

Connie

Connie Thomas Biemiller, Chair

South Fulton and Fayette Community Task Force

Environmental Institute of Georgia

P.O. Box 280

Fairburn, Georgia 30213

770-314-6999 Mobile

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 Call from Washington

Good Morning Neighbor:

The gratitude in my heart felt this morning after receiving a call from Doug Pasternak of the House of Representatives Committee on Science & Technology and

Subcommittee on Investigations & Oversight is overwhelming.  I spoke to a gentleman who truly wants to know what has taken place in our community and wants to stay in constant communication to uncover the inadequate response with regard to the ATSDR (Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry) and their inadequate Health Consultation.  

He told me that this committee was the one who recently held hearings to uncover the problems with the Katrina Trailers and the Formaldehyde poisoning of the inhabitants.  He said it was through those hearings that the committee began to hear of communities such as ours who have also been poisoned and dismissed through the ATSDR Health Consultation.  

I let him know very quickly he had hit the jackpot.  Our Task Force has so much information and collaborative knowledge on all of this with emails and letters to back it all up and have been waiting for this door to open.  Mr. Pasternak is hopeful that with enough information from our community and others they will be able to hold national hearings once again on the failures of the CDC and the ATSDR.  

With all this being said, I need some help from you.  If you or your children have been ill due to the poisoning and have a doctor who has treated you and documented your exposure, please call your doctor and sign a release so that he/she can send those records or talk to Mr. Pasternak or our Task Force.  Then email me with your doctor's name and phone number so we can begin collecting data.  I will make sure Mr. Pasternak receives the hundreds of exposure forms we have already completed.  

I am humbled and honored again to be called to such a service for our community.  I never would have imagined such a spiritual calling as this but it absolutely is for me.  I know that you all feel as I do that we must not only make sure that our community is protected in the future but that all communities across America never have to suffer from a toxin in their air, water or soil.  And, we will make sure that when there is a poisoning in a community, the community's story is primary and believed by their government and immediate action is taken on their behalf. 

Your neighbor,

Connie

Connie Thomas Biemiller, Chair

South Fulton and Fayette Community Task Force

P.O. Box 1593

Fairburn, Georgia 30213

770-314-6999 Mobile

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.

Correction - Attorneys on Saturday - 1-10-09

Begin forwarded message:

From: smzahler@goetz-zahler.com

Date: January 8, 2009 6:36:45 PM EST

To: "Connie Thomas Biemiller" <eiog@bellsouth.net>

Cc: Lina.Pitts@premiereglobal.com

Subject: Re: Attorneys on Saturday - 1-10-09

Connie,

I will be out of town tommorrow and this weekend.

 Accordingly, please send another email asap advising to contact Lina

Pitts at Lina.Pitts@premiereglobal.com if they are interested in

volunteering.  She is coordinating this effort in the community.

Thanks

Good Evening Neighbor:

The attorneys are assembling a group to go around to homes to make

sure people know they have the choice to sign-on to the class

action.  They would like as much help as possible in the process.

Please email Scott Zahler at smzahler@goetz-zahler.com if you are

available on Saturday.

Also, our Task Force Secretary - Cindy Mathews will be up at Bethany

United Methodist on Saturday to give out class action forms as well.

She will be there from 2-6pm.  A very special thanks to Cindy Mathews

and April Butler for all they are doing for our community in this

effort!!!

Your neighbor,

Connie

Connie Thomas Biemiller, Chair

South Fulton and Fayette Community Task Force

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

P.O. Box 280

Fairburn, Georgia 30213

770-314-6999 Mobile

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.