Georgia Governor Nathan Deal has said that violent offenders will remain
behind bars, but the state needs to rethink the costs of locking up
others, like nonviolent drug offenders.
First-time speaker Matt Flumerfelt notes the Valdosta City Council
and the Lowndes County Commission both disclaim responsibility for the
Industrial Authority even though both appoint its members,
and he thinks that may make VLCIA’s contract for the biomass plant
challengeable on constitutional grounds.
He also sent LAKE the appended article on 20 Jan 2011.
Video by John S. Quarterman of the regular meeting
of the Valdosta City Council, 20 January 2011,
for LAKE, the Lowndes Area Knowledge Exchange.
Faith In Technology Is What Got Us Into This Mess
by Matt Flumerfelt
Many people in the Valdosta-Lowndes County community have faith that the
proposed Biomass incinerator won’t harm anyone or anything, but faith in
technology is what got us into our current environmental mess in the first
place. Those old enough to remember the nuclear power debate will remember
how many people gave assurances that nuclear power was safe, yet we see
today how difficult nuclear waste is to dispose of and how much damage it
has caused when things go wrong, which, human nature being what it is, they
inevitably do. The recent gulf oil spill would not have happened if
Former VLCIA Executive Director decides based on rants in the VDT
to come say “I trust in you” and
“If it turns out to be wrong, then we live with that.”
“I made a decision that although I’m concerned about a lot of things,
and I’m concerned about anything….
I have to trust those people who are in those positions
will do their homework and make the right decision.
Then I will live with that.
If it turns out to be wrong, then we live with that.
What bothered me was when I started reading in the paper
about the veiled threats.
The personal issues.
…
When I started reading about veiled threats.
When I started reading about people being chastised because
they didn’t accept a brochure or some literature.
You know, that bothered me.
Then when I read one of the rants about it;
they wondered how you folks were chosen.
If you don’t know how these people are chosen….
They ought to do their basic homework.
But I’m here tonight to say that:
I’ve looked at it; I’ve researched it; I don’t always agree
with all the things the authority does… but I trust in you….”
Update 2014-03-31:VDT wrote 3 March 2014 that Garren joined VLCIA after Sterling Chemical came in.
Then he praises Sterling Chemical which came in on his watch,
and while Norman Bennett (currently on the VLCIA)
was Chairman of the County Commission.
See for yourself:
In the current fashion he begins by saying when he first moved here
(1965).
Is that what’s required these days to be worth listening to?
Continue reading →
Bobbi Anne Hancock asked a question at the VLCIA board meeting 18 Jan 2011,
and Chairman Jerry Jennett explained that he’s a businessman,
not a scientist, he has to trust the experts, and he’s not prepared
to answer questions.
He says she can state a position, though, and she does so.
See it for yourself:
Apologies for missing the first part, and for the muddy sound.
Professional staff of a tax-funded organization could probably
do a far better job of taking and publishing videos than
a tiny all-volunteer activist organizations such as LAKE.
Video by John S. Quarterman for LAKE, the Lowndes Area Knowledge Exchange.
I was recently reading “Masterpieces of Eloquence,” which includes a
speech delivered by the fourth Earl of Chesterfield to the House of Lords in
Feb., 1743. “The bill now under our consideration appears to me to deserve a
much closer regard than seems to have been paid to it in the other House,
through which it was hurried with the utmost precipitation, and where it
passed almost without the formality of a debate. Nor can I think that
earnestness with which some lords seem inclined to press it forward here
consistent with the importance of the consequences which may with great
reason be expected from it.” He goes on to say, “surely it never before was
conceived, by any man entrusted with the administration of public affairs,
to raise taxes by the destruction of the people.”
I find this quote applies exactly, mutatis mutandis, to the present
situation. The effects of these toxic chemicals are far more devastating to
my mind than the effects of gin. The science panel assembled by Michael is
more credible than the assurances of the industrial authority expert. In
fact, the emissions from the plant are so close to the permit threshold that
they could easily exceed that threshhold on occasion. Would the IA expert
then continue to hold the position that there is “No health hazard to the
public?” I don’t think anyone who favors the proposal is aware of the
enormity that could result if the plant goes into operation. They have left
the public health out of their equation. They have just enough science, they
think, to push the deal through over the objections of an easily deceived
public.
The
recent biomass meeting
was a great example of democracy in
action. Concerned citizens gave up an evening to educate themselves
and it was heartening to see many in the audience participate. I’m
no political scientist, but this must be what the founders of the
constitution had in mind in conceiving that document.
The evening was not without controversy. Several speakers spoke
passionately, even vehemently, prompting someone to question the tone
of some on the anti-biomass side. One wonders how closely he follows
events in the area?
Valdostans are frustrated at the blatantly anti-democratic tactics
employed by local government that result in our getting things rammed
down our throats. Biomass is just the latest example.
“That’s not our problem.” [waves hands]
“You see, industry comes and
it’s his job to sell whatever his output is…
the manufacturing plant…
the output is electricity…”
So I asked how does that match with Col. Ricketts in the previous
board meeting referring to a public/private partnership between
VLCIA and Wiregrass Power LLC and frequently saying “we”.
Col. Ricketts responded that he was only referring to the solar plant
and the GEFA grant.
Well, yes he said that then, but he also said…
Continue reading →
From: Russ Anderson
Date: Wed, 19 Jan 2011 10:18:02 -0500
Subject: Russell Anderson responses to article about Fiery Roots and
Commissioner Paulk Accusations
Dear L.A.K.E.,
My name is Russell Anderson. Thank you for taking an interest in the
Wiregrass LLC Biomass incinerator issue and my affiliated organization
Collectiveprogression.org.
I am writing today with hopes of clarifying a few things.
First, I’m glad to see there is such an effort as L.A.K.E. in the Lowndes
area. L.A.K.E appears to use strategies that could be modeled by other
communities seeking a more informed population. Information sharing is
critical to achieving a more just and equitable world. The objective of our
organization is simply to share the narratives of community struggles,
solutions, and efforts in hopes of creating better channels of communication
and resource sharing between communities dealing with justice issues. Any
similarities to LAKE’s efforts to
“Cover the planners to connect the dots”
are nothing more than pleasant coincidence.
Hopefully, as our website develops from its infancy, our mission will become
more apparent in the content. We have interviewed people across the country
to uncover ways that people working for justice can be more connected and,
We have responded to your questions on multiple occasions. You are
welcome to continue asking, but the answers remain the same. We have a
very active and successful renewable energy program that exceeds the
biomass/solar project. You have been told this a number of times. As
for existing projects that are in the pipeline, we told in last month’s
board meeting that we are not at liberty to share specifics of any
active recruitment for your blog, or your neighbor’s. We’ll be happy
to share the specifics with the general public at the appropriate time.
Thanks,
BL
Sent from my Verizon Wireless Phone
Cc: “Michael G. Noll”,
“Mary B. Gooding”,
“Ricketts, Allan” <aricketts@industrialauthority.com>,
“Copeland, Roy”,
“‘John S. Quarterman'”,
“Susan R. Wehling”,
Kay Harris
Grow crops to burn for fuel, or for food?
Valdosta City Council member
James Wright brings up
an article about farmers growing plants for biomass fuel.
These things get passed around by council members, and I’m pretty sure
this one that came to me indirectly is it:
November 12, 2010 – Incentivizing Renewable Biomass Production,
by New Energy Farms, Leamington, Ontario.
What they’re mainly recommending is
Miscanthus,
which is a genus of clump grass.
