300 Voices Strong
More than 300 concerned citizens crowded into the New Hanover County Commissioners chambers last night to show their displeasure with the massive Titan cement plant the commissioners (with the exception of Nancy Pritchitt) have lured to Castle Hayne. Commissioners and their staff said it was the largest turnout anyone could remember! Thanks to all who took time to show up. Your presence spoke louder than words.
Which, of course was about the only statement you could make since the public at large was denied any opportunity to speak–a shameful tactic used to limit public input and debate. Still, the commissioners got an earful from three local experts on the potential impacts of the plant on our community.
First up was Dr. Craig Galbraith, senior professor of Entrepreneurship and Technology, and GlaxoSmithKline Faculty Fellow in economic development at UNCW’s Cameron School of Business. Galbraith, who has written several books and numerous scholarly articles on economic development, skewered the economic formula used to estimate the economic benefits of the Titan Plant–which he said could fit on half a page. Actual studies of towns across the South where heavy industry located often showed decreases in economic activity. For Galbraith’s full statement, click Galbraith Presentation.
Next up was local pediatrician Dr. Ed Horger, who gave a poignant description of the threats posed by mercury, particulate matter, and other air pollutants produced by cement kilns to our children. Horger’s comments received vigorous and at times deafening applause from the crowd.
Dr. Tracy Skrabal, a senior scientist with the North Carolina Coastal Federation, presented a statement by her husband, Dr. Steve Skrabal, a respected chemical oceanographer at UNCW, about why our area is particularly susceptible to mercury contamination. For Dr. Skrabal’s comments, click Skrabal Statement.
We had hoped to present an additional statement on Why the Regulations Don’t Protect Us, and end with a stirring call for the commissioners to reverse their decision, or at least take more time to study it. But we ran out of time, so we’ll make those requests in writing. We did however present the Commissioners with our petition against Titan containing more than 1100 names (More than 1600 actually signed it, but our initial language was a bit confusing and a few hundred signers failed to follow up with a confirmation email. Without it, you name can’t go on, so please always confirm!).
Titan countered with the cement plant manager from its Roanoke, VA, who talked about how the Appalachian Trail ran nearby (I’m sure it’s a great photo-op for through-hikers) and Titan’s air permit consultant who, when asked twice by Commissioner Ted Davis if he was aware of any harmful effects of mercury emitted by cement plants repeatedly said: “I cannot answer that sir. I am not a toxicologist.” Good boy. Stay on point. Stay…Stay… Of course you don’t have to be the Surgeon General to know that cigarettes will kill you.
I have been a citizen of New Hanover County for 27 years and I have been to many similar kangaroo courts hosted by the County Commission. Limiting a serious topic like this to 15 minutes sums up how fair these meetings are to the general public. Seems like at least two of these commissioners traveled to either Florida or Virginia and toured the one of theTitan plants. I wonder if those trips and all the back room meetings afterward totaled 15 minutes? Seems like at least one of them would have asked what comes out of that huge smoke stack? Either Titan dodged the question or it was never. You people did a fantastic job last night. The absolute best kangaroo court I have ever seen. Thank you
Alexander,
Thanks for your comments. Can’t believe it either. Titan has had three years to talk about how great they are for New Hanover County, and the citizens who will have to bear the brunt of their pollution get 15 minutes to respond? Where’s the democracy in that? Sounds more like China or the old U.S.S.R. than the good ‘ol U.S. of A.
I am speechless about this current special interest behavior of our county commissioners. It is very interesting that Commissioner Nancy Pritchett was THE ONLY commissioner to really challenge the Titan reps during the meeting. I also find it interesting that she was NOT RE-ELECTED for another term.
You hear about cleaning up the mess in Washington, etc. When are we going to change the way our elected officials do business?
On the upside, you all did do a terrific job on Monday night! I was so proud to see over 300 concerned citizens present at the meeting. Your speakers were eloquent and direct, unlikely the Titan reps. I especially was intrigued by the 6 - 7 lbs of mercury emissions comment by the main speaker for Titan, when, according to Star News, Titan’s environmental permit application says the plant could expel up to 262 lbs/yr.
You have my support and I am trying to get everyone I know to be at the fundraiser/June 12th meeting. We will beat this, and hopefully, in the process, change the way our elected officials do business.
All the best!
The turnout at the meeting was a great milestone in the fight against Titan! The room was full of hopeful people, it was a very eye opening experience. I am a young Wilmington native and it brought great joy to see the people coming together to preserve the natural beauty and coastal appeal that I was lucky enough to grow up with. I want my kids and yours to be able to enjoy the same things that I did, and I am sure I am not alone with this. The most troublesome thing I walked away with from that meeting was-How important it is to VOTE! That is where it all begins… Thank you to everyone that came out and lets keep the momentum going STRONG
We need copies of the statements made by the Titan representatives at the 2 June meeting in order to formulate relevant questions for presentation at the next major event - the EIS scoping public session. Their 3 speakers made some profound claims about the safety and environmental compliance of Titan’s existing facilities and the one they propose to build here. Those claims need to be challenged vigorously during the scoping process in order to demonstrate our seriousness. Repeating the effective emotional arguments made Monday is not a sufficient basis to make sure that all technical issues are addressed to make the No Action Alternative (don’t build it here) prevail. An effective challange must be based on environmental law (NEPA and SEPA) and sound engineering and technical analyses.
I can’t find those statements on nhcgov.com, the Star News or elsewhere. Someone must have copies or good notes. Please share so we can get our ducks in a row.
Until we educate the public at large as to how the Commissioners function (and I admit I’m one of those who has paid more attention to national affairs as opposed to local ones) then we cannot expect change. I plan to start a blog on Wilmington Politics and how things need to change and hope that others can do the same. It’s going to take tremendous work, but local politics affect us on a far more personal level than national politics does. Also, I highly suggest that people go to the online Star News articles on these Titan events to comment, since other anti-environmentalists are doing the same and slinging mud.
To Walt: The public library has copies off all the commissioners mtgs. You can check out the DVD as soon as it’s available. And you’re right, the scoping mtg. is important. Everybody needs to focus on this. We’re also being guided by a lot of good folks-scientist, biologist, doctors, environmental groups (national and local), lots of people will help with this phase. Aside from that, we still need to write letters to editor, call representatives, talk to pals and get them involved. We’ll post something specific to the scoping meeting on the site soon. Thanks to all for stepping up.
Perhaps the fund raiser will enable us to expand awareness of this issue. I for one am interested in donating to the cause, but will be unable to attend on Sunday. Is there a possibility of creating a method for donation other than attending the fund raiser? Can someone provide us with a point of contact for donation? Any ideas Joel?
For those who cannot attend the Fundraiser at Katy’s on Sunday June, 8th from 5 to 9 but would like to make a donation
Send Check to:
GreenCoast Recycling / Stop Titan Charity Acct.
PO Box 1386
Wrightsville Beach, NC 28480
Donations are greatly appreciated since printing literature, and advertising to expand awareness unfortunately is not free. Thanks!
It seems everyone is so completely wrapped around the axle in stopping Titan, that I fear we’re not stopping to think about what all this new industry will bring to our area. I realize I’m standing in a lion’s den here, but could someone please explain to me what all the fuss is about? Researching their Roanoke plant, it seems, they’re pretty well-loved in the community. And they’ve been there for over 50 years — before we even had all the regulations in place that the EPA has put into place now. Aside from it being pretty tall, most of us may never even notice the plant once it’s here. Because it’s going to be here, whether we like it or not…honestly, there’s not much any of us can do to stop them.
It sucks that, as a world culture, we have a concrete, thus cement, thus limestone addicition. But think of all this plant will bring to our area! Am I the only one who thinks it might be a little exciting?
Shame on you Titan, I am a former resident of Wilmington, still have family there and still call it home, and also have family in Roanoke, VA. The letter published in the Sunday edition of the Star News was a shameless attempt to woo the residents of New Hanover County and I am writing this from my parent’s home in Roanoke and I will do whatever research I can to help dispel the notion your business is good for New Hanover County. And shame on the Star News for publishing what is blatantly an ad w/o disclosure. Why not go where you are wanted?
And shame on you “Sarah” and Titan for your disgusting attempt to infiltrate this site with your propaganda. It really makes those of us who are against you even more convinced that we don’t want you here.
Humbling, Allen, but again, incorrect. Can you not believe that someone might simply disagree with you? It seems there’s no room for open-minded discussion here.
And while I may be the only one who’s spoken my opinion on this site, you should know there are many more of us who are asking the questions and considering the possibilities: http://www.wwaytv3.com/residents_speak_out_against_titan_cement_plant/06/2008.
I can certainly believe that there are people who might disagree with us, like Titan and the County Commissioners. This site is for people who have read the evidence and are against this plant and the use of our tax dollars as an incentive.
Assuming that you are actually a citizen who actually believes Titan’s propaganda and that the EPA will protect us, you can find plenty of comfort in the amount of power and money that are behind making this project happen. Posting dissenting messages on this board will not change our minds and simply makes the rest of us question your intentions and your values.
As to your defeatist comment about “It sucks that, as a world culture, we have a concrete, thus cement, thus limestone addiction”, I would add that it is equally as sad that people like you are content with selling out their values and their children’s future for a few jobs. You are absolutely correct about our addiction to concrete, but instead of accepting it we should work towards minimizing that as well.
And by the way, nobody really believes that you don’t work for Titan—-You said, “Am I the only one who thinks it might be a little exciting?” — Really? Smells funny to me. Anybody other than Titan and “Sarah” thinking this cement plant could be exciting?
Oh Sarah, it will be exciting indeed. Lovely particulate matter drifting through the air among the stubble of felled pine trees. Waste matter floating along our majestic Cape Fear river. And of course our fish will sing with the mercury coursing through their bodies. Perhaps they will mutate into some new gargantuan species that Titan can show off at the county commissioners meetings.
And Sarah, it would be even more exciting if you lived very close to Titan’s new plant. I just happen to have a home 3 miles from there. You can get one of those high paying Titan jobs & live right down the road! Then you will never miss a moment of excitement.
This so called Sarah is a cement kiln operative Troll planted here in these blogs to stir up controversy wherever she can. No logical, caring and sane human being could come up with this spiel except someone that expects to extract financial gain from poisoning a whole region of people including the most vulnerable among us like the elderly and babies. She’s bought and paid for. No one could honestly defend a economic and environmental horror such as this.
Students of UNCW have more of a concern for the regions environment and an awareness about the dangers of a toxic industry such as Titan Cement than the very administrators of the University themselves.
The WSN forums, WWAY forums and several local blogs have shot holes in all the optimistic ideas of this Kiln operation coming here and being a good thing. Only bitter people that have nothing better to do can sit around and blog about the added value that something like this might actually bring.
We have doctors, economics professors and hundreds of potential moms out there adding to the thousands of people that already live here that care about the way we take responsibility for the future. What will we leave our future generations? Hopefully a much better environment and economic stability than a 30 year old poison pit of a wasteland like Titan proposes to leave us with.
Our children simply deserve better. And every mom out there knows this.