The Star’s recent editorial, “Beyond Cleanup: Monsanto, the EPA and Anniston,” called for a comprehensive environmental and baseline study to be conducted here because of the large amounts of PCBs Monsanto dumped in our community for almost 40 years. We now know that these persistent compounds are in our air, our soil, our water, as well as the bodies of many of our residents.I wholeheartedly agree with The Star’s position and commend them for this important editorial. There are, however, additional compelling reasons for the federal government to carry out this study.
The Star reported last year that Monsanto dumped mercury from its west Anniston facility, and there are also problems with elevated levels of lead in parts of our community. On top of these problems, the Army is scheduled to begin incinerating 2,300 tons of chemical and nerve agents later this year.
According to the EPA, the incinerator will emit additional PCBs as well as a dozen other toxic substances in trace amounts even while the facility operates as planned. If there is an accidental release, our citizens could also be exposed to the deadly chemical agents as well as receiving higher doses of PCBs.
A 1998 GAO study to Congress concluded that, “Single and repeated low level exposures to some chemical warfare agents can result in adverse psychological, physiological, behavioral and performance affects.” Unless we get a comprehensive baseline study done now, we may find the Army pointing its finger at Monsanto and Monsanto blaming the Army for any future adverse health consequences in our community.
Fourteen months ago I approached former U.S. Surgeon General David Satcher to request this study be carried out by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Although Dr. Satcher was very supportive, the bureaucrats in Atlanta have stonewalled this request. I intend to continue to work with The Star to get this study done, and I hope everyone will join us in this important undertaking for our community.
James A. “Pappy” Dunn
Commissioner, District 1
Anniston
Hog farms
People of Alabama beware. State Sen. Tom Butler has re-introduced a bill into the new session of the Alabama Legislature. This bill is disguised to make you believe it is in favor of the family farm. It is actually called “Family Farm Preservation Act.” Just the name would make you say, “Oh, I’d love to help save the family farm.”The people who are pushing to get this bill passed have no intention of preserving the family farm as we know it. They are in favor of large corporate farms known as “Factory Farms.” Also, if this passes citizens such as you and I will have no legal recourse regardless of their unhealthy practices. That is what it is all about, they can’t be held responsible for their actions if it passes. We will have no legal way to protect ourselves. Is this a good law?
Also, they will swallow up the small farmer because he can’t compete. If allowed to continue, eventually these factory farmers will control the agricultural practices in the whole state. There will be no family farms as we know them. Our great state will be polluted from border to border. The very air we breathe, the water we drink, and the soil our food is grown in will never be the same.
I beg you for your own sake, as well as for the sake of your children and grandchildren, don’t let this happen. We have lots to lose and nothing to gain by letting this bill pass. Write, call or e-mail your senators and ask them to vote no on Senate Bill 79 called “Family Farm Preservation Act.” You will be doing family farmers a great favor.
Howard Morris
Ider
The vote
First of all, I’d just like to say that I voted. How I voted will be forever between me and the Good Lord. Now I’ve got a few things to get off my chest. I am a Wellborn graduate (and very proud of it) married to an Oxford Yellow Jacket. I will always have deep roots in Wellborn; my very loving spouse will always have deep roots in Oxford. We choose to live in a community where our children go to Wellborn. A “Vote No” sign was displayed in our front yard. Had anyone brought me a “Vote Yes” sign, I would have displayed it also. I do not lose my temper often, but some people have pushed me too far on this. You would think by the conversations with “friends” and neighbors, etc., that my husband’s and my vote was THE deciding vote. They have argued community, gut check, athletics, loyalty, taxes. Do not ask me how I voted! What about privacy? And what’s this gut check stuff... is this a football game?Believe me, I understand both sides. If your children are athletes, you’ve got a strong argument. If your children are scholars, you’ve got a strong argument. If you don’t have kids in either school system anymore, maybe you have grandchildren. Whatever, you’re entitled to your opinion.
I am a very quiet, un-opinionated, keep-to-myself type person, and I like it that way. I’m not asking for anyone on this earth’s approval. But you people have brought out the worst in me and I don’t like it! Please stop bothering us about this; don’t ask us how we voted; and please don’t get my husband started in conversation about this when you see us in town. We have an understanding of your side (whichever one it may be), and this is not worth losing friendships over!
And some of you want to talk to me about community loyalty. I can name lots of Wellborn folks who drive past four or five churches in their community every Sunday morning to attend Hillcrest Baptist Church in... Saks! So yes people, I have opinions; but if you will respect mine, then I will gladly respect yours. I don’t want to talk about it anymore, OK?
We are just two parents trying to raise the two children God gave us the best we know how. Their future is important to us. Today (Jan. 23) is my daughter’s 17th birthday (of all days), so, believe it or not, I have other things on my mind today. (Happy birthday sweetheart).
Karen Copeland Gallahar
Eastaboga
Hope Harbor
As the old year has passed and a new year has begun, the Board of Directors, on behalf of the women clients at Hope Harbor, wish to thank the many concerned and generous individuals who have helped to keep our doors open.Hope Harbor, a residential treatment center here in Anniston, has 19 beds available for women who are recovering from drug addiction. (There are 68 beds for men in Calhoun County.) We offer a 6 and 12 month program. During the year 2001, 11 women graduated from the 6-month program and several women finished the 90-day program of staying clean and sober.
We are currently receiving referrals from Judges Monk, Street and Laird. Detoxification facilities participating in our program with referrals are Self Discovery, Caradale, Bradford and Brookwood. We are proud of the direction that Hope Harbor has taken under the leadership of the Director, Dot Kualheim, and the Board of Directors.
We are especially grateful to all of these individuals who donate clothing and money. Special thanks goes to the Lawyers/Doctors basketball game, the Energizers group of the Alabama Power Company, The Goldenbelles, Attorney Bob Field, and many local churches.
Please keep Hope Harbor in your prayers, as we need them daily on behalf of these women who have succumbed to the power of addiction.
Marti Warren, Chairperson
Hope Harbor
Anniston
