- Environmental Injustice. Locally, we (well a few of us)
are aware of, some 17 yrs., ago saw political hacks/local officials/and
industry; getting together behind closed doors and deciding (politically)
that this area would be most suited for a toxic spewing incinerator. No
tourism--no lakes--no ski resorts--no real political clout. Just ordinary
folks.
- The ensuring years, has had perfunctory, mere technicality
public hearings/appeals all to no avail; mostly because the deal was already
signed-sealed and delivered. Listening to our "Yammering-hysteria-emotionalism
etc. yada" was all endured to assure that "public input"
was accommodated.
-
- The end result...well nearly the end, of this 20yrs.contract
has vagaries (questions never answered) of the bonding of monies (NH getting
ripped ? off), contracts signed, with no reading of, by appointed representatives,
a four year ordeal of going all the way to the Supreme Court to acquire
information on legal invoices (expenditures of public monies), a Vermont
Law Review (slam-dunked behind closed doors), a Vermont Legislative Study(came
to naught), a NH Legislative Study (findings--"We have no power"),
a Governor's Task Force (findings-"Garbage is a growth industry"),
a General Accounting report..hardly the financial investigation we requested
(findings--BS), appeals upon appeals (results--more garbage), multi-millions
in admitted overcharges of local electricity, due to Connecticut Valley
Electric Company and Wheelabrator Incinerator; with their seeming duplicity
and subterfuge, on gross vs. net blah blah-- output of megawatts. CVEC
serviced; due to this deal, when the incinerator was built; promising a
"win-win, new innovative concept" of burning garbage for lights;
10,000 customers--the majority in the Host community(Claremont-NH) of this
incinerator. The results being "win-win" for industry and "lose-lose"
for consumers; with this community being charged the highest electric rates
in the continental United States. Such is the world of questionable corrupt
business and politics when partnered.
-
- Any business or industry; thinking of locating here after
studying the demographics of the area, naturally relocated elsewhere, since
expenditures on utilities are a big factor in their bottom line and profits.
U.S.Congressman Jeb Bradley, when I broached the subject with him told
me, "You people got the contract from hell, there's nothing we can
do about it". How's that for representative government? State Representative
Arnold, chuckled, and told me; "Maybe you should annex yourselves
(our area-Host communities-Newport/Claremont) to Vermont. I hear you can't
eat the fish (mercury laden) hope the people fare a little better".
This is representative of the cavalier-nonsensical-stupefying-arsine remarks
from public officials.
-
- The maze of meetings,hearings,appeals,protests,postcard
deluges,petitions,letters, briefs,facilitation (2 hr. joke), recycling
committees, waste committees; have to date resulted in; labeling, criticisms,
mockery, "All standards being met", well testings sent to wrong
lab (ha), 300,000 toxic tons of ash on a wetlands (rectified by dumping
tons of contaminated soil from a nearby junkyard), over our water supply
(the Sugar River--major aquifer).
-
- Costs of this environmental racism to date are immeasurable
in lost economy--the cumulative saturation of the environment and citizens;
with dioxin, lead, mercury, arsenic, cadmium and thousands of chemicals,
as yet unregulated or tested. There are numerous health issues in the community,
and for all the ballyhoo over supposed interest in the safety and health
of citizens; per living environments, activists attempting to inform local
officials, through exhaustive research and study, citizens injunctions,
council meetings, select board meetings, waste meetings; have been met
with malignant contempt, insults, abusive language, labeling, physical
assault, gender bias, silencing,and threats of arrest (for concern over
health of children!). Thousands have been spent for police presence, with
the meeting at the private clubhouse in Grantham, having on hand 34 police-sheriff-public
prosecutor and police surveillance cameras! All this for six mothers in
the "Live Free or Die State!" Go figure. The presentation that
I gave that night had to do with abutters to the 300,000 tons of toxic
ash in their backyard and asking for recompense for their well ($4000.00)
that had been compromised upon blasting for the entryway to this hell-hole
of ash.
-
- Industry/local officials/politicians (rare exceptions)
had seemingly conspired together, to ignore the plight of those living
on top of this filth; with toxic ash covering their gardens, yards, and
blowing into their homes. I was met with contemptuous sneers, smart ass
remarks, (from Joint committee representatives of NH/VT Solid Waste Committee)with
the pontificating findings that, "If we compensate one abutter we'll
open a floodgate to numerous claims". Lest we forget--this remark
was defending the parent company of this debacle, Waste Management Inc.,
with revenues of approximately $11.2 billion, when last checked. In the
"Live Free or Die" state, I was escorted from the building by
a contingent of police surrounding me, with the other mothers close behind.
State Representatives and local attorneys, on hand, remained silent throughout
this effrontery to our civil liberties and right to free speech. Citizens
are basically on their own in these situations as; "image-political
standing-and the next election" takes precedence over those they are
charged to defend and represent.
-
-
- Environmental Racism; has in our case,(Host communities
to this assault of garbage-Newport/Claremont, NH) the working poor/handicapped,
elderly, pitted against the richer more affluent (27 other towns) post
card villages, ski resorts, lake side ambiance, estates, pastoral views,
and tourist Meccas'. Guess who holds all the cards? The message being,
is that some citizens are more highly valued and deserving of a protected
environment and rarified air (absent convoys of diesel fueled garbage trucks/toxic
burning of materialism excesses) than others; whom it's presumed are too
under-educated-or ignorant to care. One State Senator has made reference
to the local populous as being "drinkers-gamblers-carousers and womanizers".
This from a man found by his own party to be running a "scam",
per his Republican Children's Fundraising.
-
-
- Environmental Racism; has the preponderance of those
called "Greens" affluent whites; involved in conservancy- building
nature trails, preserves, hiking, river rafting, and local environmental
feel good issues. Many are funded (do the research) by major corporations,
which might explain their reluctance to become embroiled in issues confronting
industry magnates. At least that's been our experience when soliciting
them for help in our local cause; "We don't get involved in politics".
They do, but just not with those absent the proper uniform of LLBean-Eddie
Bauer-khaki-Laura Ashley frockdom, or that corduroy/plaid country slumming
look.
-
-
- Garbage Wars; by Professor David Pellow; tells the story
not presented in the media or in local presentations for that "win-win-new
innovative concept". People who generate the most waste, (the affluent
ones)don't necessarily have to deal with the price of being of being affected
by it. That price is paid by those who don't produce so much waste. These
are the ones who have to live near these wastes (many times because for
economic reasons). They are the ones who inhale toxic fumes emanating from
these wastes. They are the ones who get poisoned from these wastes, while
the more affluent ones-the ones responsible for producing these wastes,
go on producing more and more waste quite nonchalantly, unaware (mostly
indifferent) of the havoc and suffering caused. These same people (the
affluent) treat environmental concerns more as a recreational past-time
than a life or breath issue. Out of sight, ahhh, out of mind. Splish splash,
White skiing down artificial snow slopes (who cares what local water reserves
are drained), organic gardens, horse farms, craft fairs, rainbow puppet
theater, tented gatherings (of like minded), farmer's markets on town greens,
golf courses, manicured estates, music festivals, energy fairs of solar
panels/wind farms, marshes on summer's eve, resounding with the songs of
nature, or lazy-hazy kick back, meandering down country lanes absorbing
the exhilarating good luck of being a more privileged pedigreed part of
the herd. No thunder of semis here, pulverized infrastructure, choking
toxic haze, the stench of burning tires, nor filters on drinking water.
-
-
- No children in fields of flowers with asthma inhalers,
nor whispers of the newest case of cancer, another funeral, a memorial
service for a babe dead, living at ground zero of this drenching of toxins.
"All standards being met". Of course with armies of industry
lobbyists working in concert with federal/state regulators; writing the
"standards" and "self-monitoring of testings etc" what
would one expect? These "standards" killed the abutter. She had
a name, Shirley Fletcher. No need now to compensate for her destroyed well.
Environmental racism, kills just as sure as a sniper's bullet, a serial
killer, or drive-by shooting. Only difference is, some killing is legitimatized
with
- legislation/policies/regulations/permits; with the resulting
suffering of chemo treatments, kitchen tables full of medicines, a woman
gray and bloated (from treatments) with her hair coming out in clumps,
not relieved or impressed with the mantra, "All standards being met".
Those responsible through their insatiable greed of profits over people,
don't reside where they defecate.
-
- The former Mayor of New York City, Guiliani; stated that
rural America (that's us), shouldn't mind taking their refuse in exchange
for the cultural amenities that New York City offers! This is the bizarre-blithering-mind
set of politicians. Fresh Kills, of Staten Island (the world's largest
dump) is closed; and now they need a place to dump the approximate 14,000
tons per day of waste (just residential) that they generate. Nearby states
of Virginia-Pennsylvania-Connecticut-Massachusetts-Maine and New Hampshire
are now the new dumping grounds. Vermont does not permit "incineration",
they send their garbage across the river to burn and dump in Claremont
and Bethlehem, NH.,located in northern NH, at the edge of the White Mountain
National Forest. Bethlehem was once a health resort. No more with 2 million
tons of putrid filth and growing, now dumped there with a leachate (run
off from filth) burning incinerator gassing the area! True. Politicians
that I spoke to in Concord, looked befuddled and baffled, when I spoke
to them of this, having no idea of what was happening in their state, let
alone visiting this beleaguered community.
-
-
- Vermont, a get-away playground for the affluent; with
it's tourism, green mountains, ski resorts, and pastoral views, made sure
that their corporate visitors-retirees-Trophy home owners etc, would have
the rarified air and ambiance that they so "richly" deserve.
The Interstate Commerce Clause of our Constitution has been perverted (by
industry monies/lobbyists) to identify garbage as a "commodity"
and therefore, protected from the zoning-outrage-or protests of the rural
herd. You've got a problem and they reply, "Take us to court".
Of course when you haven't a pot to piss in that settles that. Various
fines are merely, yawn, all a part of doing business. No great shakes.
-
- And so-rural communities, with manufacturing-textile-mining-auto
plants etc., all filled with rusted mill towns, with the global pigs sending
these all abroad to Third World nations; local officials (some not too
hard to compromise) take the bait; hook, line and sinker of; toxic sludge
dumping-mega waste dumps-incinerators-chemical plants-transfer stations
(traveling dumps),hog farms, chicken factories, nuclear waste sites etc.,
as a reprieve from economic ruination. Flim-flam men, industry hucksters,
snake oil salesmen; have got their promised land utopian messages polished
and honed to a glib science. That's what they get paid big bucks for. Be
it sludge-dumps-hog farms-chemical plants; and now Privatization of local
water supplies; "Have we gotta deal for you", has local governments/state/,
and even the military being insidiously and incrementally removed from
the public domain, and given over to the Corporate Destroyers. It's called
"public-private partnerships or privatization". It means, they
play you pay and pay and pay. You, like our local win-win burning garbage
for lights, will end up paying for all improvements, upgrades, maintenance,
liabilities and TAXES. Doesn't seem like too equitable a partnership to
me. Privatization, is even worse with foreign parent companies controlling
local utilities. Not even the pretense of public input or involvement here,
except for paying ALL demands and rate increases. Don't pay. No water.
Lest ways that's what the UK citizens are experiencing.
-
- Somewhere along the line; maybe we were all distracted
with "If the glove don't fit you must acquit" or Monica servicing
the President, or maybe the newest rape or dope taking of some celebrity/sports
star; corporate America decided that the "world's water" is now
theirs. True, and no this hasn't been on your infotainment news.
-
- Aquarion, a subsidiary of Kelda of the UK, is even now
targeting New England for this takeover with the usual corporate mantra
of saving communities BIG BUCKS. Long story short, communities confronted
with this need to do their homework of this newest pilfering of the citizens
big time. Water is a right, a public asset. The horror stories in Great
Britain-Bolivia-India-and the U.S. tell the tale. Aquarion, now trying
to make inroads into New Hampshire, has been given the largest fine in
recent years, in the state of Connecticut- $820,000, which you think would
alert state politicians and local officials of another rip-off scam. The
point is, once contracted with these foreign entities, it is almost impossible
to get out of any bad deals, with global treaties etc., entering the picture.
Local officials and most state politicians haven't got a clue of these
Draconian-layered-convoluted protections for multinational companies. They
better start cramming. This is a state issue and not confined to a local
community when you study the issue. See:
- http://www.cfenv.org/kelda/kelda_fined_$820,000.htm
and least private well owners think this is none of their concern, they
need to know that this local privatization is merely the tip of the iceberg.
See: http://www.citizenreviewonline.org/sept_2001/doe_metering_rules.htm
-
- "My people perish for lack of knowledge," so
says Scripture. It is irresponsible and inexcusable in today's world not
to be fully informed and do the checking for yourself. The problem with
citizens today is, their nativity-ignorance-and false assumptions that
their local officials or politicians/regulators are looking out for their
best interests. Bulletin! They're NOT. (exceptional few-outvoted). It is
simply a time when various citizens groups unite in numbers, whatever their
cause, and support each other in activism against this global plantation
plan. The few protesting a local dump-incinerator-sludge-hog farm etc.,
are no big problem. It's when the people, hundreds and thousands see that
all politics are local and that this dismantling in the end will affect
all. Rich or poor-in between (hardly any of those left)Black,Hispanic,Chinese,Native
American,right wing,left wing,centrist,progressive,Democrat,Republican
environmentalist-etc.,are all merely boxes, labels, to keep people fragmented
and distracted. Where there is injustice towards one their is injustice
for all and it is simply a time before it's too late that we, "Never
lose our sense of outrage."
-
- Environmental racism is the unequal exposure to pollution,
toxins, and other hazards that the poor, working poor and minorities confront
every day.This includes solid waste facilities, garbage, dumps, transfer
stations, sewage treatment plants, sludge, incinerators, hog farms, chemical
plants and a range of "locally unwanted land uses" called LULUs
(that's us). We may not be able to change the world and feel powerless
against those far removed, but change comes right where you are.It's our
communities-our water and the health of our children. Martin Sheen once
gave me a rock and painted on it are the words "Bloom Where You are
Planted."This when we demonstrated years ago, in Washington, for the
plight of the homeless, him holding up a plastic container of ashes of
a woman found frozen to death on the streets of our nation's capitol. Nobody
can help everybody but everybody can help somebody.
-
- "It's not like lightening or earthquakes. We got
a bad thing made by man and by God that's something we
- can change." Steinbeck-Grapes of Wrath.
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