"Where is Mayor Anderson's leadership in protecting our low-income families?"
The Tazer ran across this piece, and based on reports and research, we'd be helping to STOP potential future deaths by getting the word out, thus it's being ran here:
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Potentially disastrous
As a Richmond resident, I join the rising chorus of opposition to the proposed crematorium in North Richmond (Times, July 1). Just what our beleaguered and polluted community needs -- another toxic industry pumping more poison into our air!
Why on earth did city planners recommended this project for approval? Assistant city attorney Mary Renfro sheepishly admits city planners "did not have time to thoroughly research the proposal."
Thanks, Councilwoman Gayle McLaughlin, for questioning why the planning department devotes so little scrutiny to projects that primarily impact poor neighborhoods.
Even so, how much research is needed to decide whether or not to place mercury-belching smokestacks within blocks of a child development center? North Richmond children already live in the toxic shadow of the Chevron refinery, General Chemical, and two major truck routes.
Local hospitalization rates for pediatric asthma are twice the state and county averages. Wasn't it painfully obvious to city staff that a crematorium would worsen the area's well-documented health hazards?
Once again, Richmond's most disadvantaged communities are forced to defend themselves against potentially disastrous projects fast-tracked by city planners.
Where is Mayor Anderson's leadership in protecting our low-income families? Why hasn't she set a higher standard for her planning department?
Kay Wallis
Richmond
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TAZER NOTE: First off, much respect to Ms. Wallis for telling this truth.
The Tazer sees this as another REALLY bad attempt at a city government hustle...trying to slide a fast one by us.
Hey guys, you think we wouldn't get word that you want to allow someone to COME IN AND KILLS IS WITH TOXIC FUMES? You guys are really twisted and drunken with power...we'll see YOU in November.
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Potentially disastrous
As a Richmond resident, I join the rising chorus of opposition to the proposed crematorium in North Richmond (Times, July 1). Just what our beleaguered and polluted community needs -- another toxic industry pumping more poison into our air!
Why on earth did city planners recommended this project for approval? Assistant city attorney Mary Renfro sheepishly admits city planners "did not have time to thoroughly research the proposal."
Thanks, Councilwoman Gayle McLaughlin, for questioning why the planning department devotes so little scrutiny to projects that primarily impact poor neighborhoods.
Even so, how much research is needed to decide whether or not to place mercury-belching smokestacks within blocks of a child development center? North Richmond children already live in the toxic shadow of the Chevron refinery, General Chemical, and two major truck routes.
Local hospitalization rates for pediatric asthma are twice the state and county averages. Wasn't it painfully obvious to city staff that a crematorium would worsen the area's well-documented health hazards?
Once again, Richmond's most disadvantaged communities are forced to defend themselves against potentially disastrous projects fast-tracked by city planners.
Where is Mayor Anderson's leadership in protecting our low-income families? Why hasn't she set a higher standard for her planning department?
Kay Wallis
Richmond
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TAZER NOTE: First off, much respect to Ms. Wallis for telling this truth.
The Tazer sees this as another REALLY bad attempt at a city government hustle...trying to slide a fast one by us.
Hey guys, you think we wouldn't get word that you want to allow someone to COME IN AND KILLS IS WITH TOXIC FUMES? You guys are really twisted and drunken with power...we'll see YOU in November.
posted by Plunda Claus @ 10:29 AM
3 Comments:
At July 07, 2006 10:46 AM,
Anonymous said…
The killing of children and elders with mercury poision toxic fumes!
The City Government of Richmond will allow the KILLING of innocent children and elders; along with the ECO-RAPE OF MOTHER EARTH'S SKY!
We Native People MUST stand UNITED and not let this happen at the July 18 City Council meeting!
A-ho!
At July 07, 2006 11:27 AM,
Anonymous said…
Maybe you should post the article, Tazer, in the interest of attempting to be balanced. I'm a fan of democracy, and opinions, man, but as a conveyer of information you guys need to be accurate, and then let people make up their own minds, agitate and get involved.
That's democracy, baby.
For the record The ENTIRE council must vote on this, and it surely will get to council. By charter even if they wanted to a mayor can't unilaterally decide zoning issues. That's why we have branches of government.
When the issue comes before council, THEN the public can blame the elected official of choice; I'm sure everyone will take advantage of that civil liberty.
By the way, this is an important health issue affecting our community. It is serious and deserves a serious repsonse. Wouldn't it be more productive to get people to let the council know they don't want this?
Speedy here... beep, beep....
Richmond considers rezoning for cremation
By John Geluardi
CONTRA COSTA TIMES
Joanna Jhanda/Times
A crematorium is trying to move into this North Richmond building, nearby is the Shields - Reid Community Center and a YMCA.RICHMOND - Richmond's planners have been quietly working to bring one of the state's busiest crematoriums to an area near homes and youth centers.
The city prohibits cremation except at cemeteries. But on June 1, the Planning Commission approved permitting cremation in nine types of zoning areas including near schools, senior centers and businesses. The City Council is to consider adopting the change on July 11.
Before the June 1 vote, planning staff members did not tell commissioners that Stewart Enterprises, owner of the Neptune Society and one of the top three funeral corporations in America, sought the zoning change.
It wants to move its Emeryville crematorium to a 20,000-square-foot building at 1151 Hensley St. on the border of North Richmond, a low-income community of mostly African-American and Latino families.
The staff report also does not mention that Neptune would cremate more than 3,000 bodies a year, generating at least 3 pounds of mercury emissions annually, based on U.S. Environmental Protection Agency statistics. The staff report also asserts that allowing crematoriums would not require an environmental report.
Mercury is particularly hazardous to children's developing nervous systems and brains. It is known to affect cognitive ability, memory and language skills. In adults, it can cause disorders such as excessive shyness, attention deficit and respiratory problems, according to the EPA.
Planning staff members were not deliberately hiding information from the commissioners and the council will have more background for its meeting, assistant city attorney Mary Renfro said.
"It's not trying to pull the wool over anyone's eyes but staff sometimes gets overwhelmed with projects and can't research what each proposal means," she said.
"We are aware now that there is more information available. We are reviewing whether the ordinance change will require a environmental impact review."
Two commissioners said they would have liked more information before their vote. Commission Chairwoman Virginia Finley said she was not sure she would have voted differently, but she would have liked the "back story."
Commissioner Nagaraja Rue said he would have voted against the change had he known mercury would be released over North Richmond, a community affected by pollutants from industries including the Chevron refinery. "It is the duty of staff to research these issues and provide us with information," he said.
Many other cities across the state are grappling with the same issues. In 2003, more than half of the state's dead were cremated, an 8 percent increase from 1999, according to the Federal Trade Commission. The commission estimates that rate will rise to 65 percent by 2010.
Crematoriums typically have been mom-and-pop operations cremating an average of 300 bodies a year with relatively small toxic emissions. But in the past few years, large funeral companies have been acquiring and consolidating crematoriums, increasing local toxic emissions.
There is no reason to be concerned, Neptune regional vice president Bill Farrar said this week. "There have been a lot of studies done and it's a safe process," he said. "With the machines available today there is very little risk."
According to a joint study by the EPA and the Cremation Association of North America, a cremated body emits about 0.46 grams of mercury. Nonindustry sources estimate as much as 3 grams of mercury per cremation.
At the industry rate, Neptune's Hensley Street crematorium would emit about 3 pounds of mercury a year.
By comparison, the Conoco Philips refinery in Rodeo emitted 80 pounds in 2002, according to the Bay Area Air Quality Management District. It is uncertain whether mercury from the proposed crematorium would be harmful to North Richmond residents, said Aaron Richardson, an air district spokesman.
"All I can say is that the crematorium won't be allowed to operate if it exceeds state standards for noncarcinogenic emissions."
One community watchdog said it would be unacceptable to add any more toxic pollution in the North Richmond community, said Henry Clark, executive director of the West County Toxics Coalition.
"The prevailing winds will blow mercury from that facility on Hensley right over North Richmond and then on to Parchester Village, both low-income communities of color," he said.
"We are trying to clean up our environment to protect our children, our public health and prevent disease. Here again someone wants to use North Richmond as a toxic dumping ground."
He said Neptune's crematorium plan is particularly upsetting because the YMCA Child Development Center, licensed to care for 60 infants, toddlers and preschoolers, is four blocks downwind.
A variety of pollution sources affect North Richmond residents, including chemical manufacturers, the Chevron refinery, two major truck routes and a large sea port, said Meena Palaniappan, a Pacific Institute senior research associate.
"Children under the age of 14 in North Richmond are more than twice as likely to be hospitalized for asthma compared to the county and the state," she said, citing a 2005 study.
The proposed ordinance change has attracted the interest of another crematorium operator. Clinton Love, president of Bay Area Cremation and Funeral Services, said he has selected a Richmond site for a crematorium. He refused to say where it is.
One city refused to let Love come in. San Leandro residents banded together in 2004 to keep him from opening a crematorium there. The public outcry at several raucous meetings so overwhelmed city leaders that they permanently banned crematoriums.
Richmond Mayor Irma Anderson said Tuesday it's too soon to tell how she will vote July 11. She did say she is very concerned about another smoke-stack industry affecting North Richmond and surrounding communities.
"The thing I'm most distressed about is that the public did not have an opportunity to address this issue at the Planning Commission hearing."
Councilman Tom Butt also was unsure of how he would vote, but expressed frustration with the planning staff.
"Why can't they just say 'No, we don't want you here'? They'd let a coal mine operate downtown if somebody asked."
At July 07, 2006 8:31 PM,
Anonymous said…
"Twisted and drunken!" These are nasty people that what to come to our town and do their filthly business! We have to tell these DEATH MERCHANTS that our community is not for SALE!
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