The Gretna Town Council is unfortunately considering a chemical trespass ordinance like the one that Halifax passed in February. The passing of this ordinance would be a defeat for Gretna residents who would like the town to wait until the study is released before passing judgment on the uranium mine.
I urge the residents of Gretna to contact their town councilmen and ask them to give the study process a chance to play out. You should also let them know that condemning Virginia Uranium at this time would be a premature decision because the study process has just begun.
The councilmen cannot be reached directly, but you may leave a message with the town’s administrative office. They will then forward the messages to the councilmen. To leave a message, call (434) 656-6572.
It’s very important that your elected officials hear your voice because environmental groups are winning these policy battles by using scare tactics and making false accusations. They will continue winning them if uranium mining supporters don’t voice their support for the study. Call now!
I urge the residents of Gretna to contact their town councilmen and ask them to give the study process a chance to play out. You should also let them know that condemning Virginia Uranium at this time would be a premature decision because the study process has just begun.
The councilmen cannot be reached directly, but you may leave a message with the town’s administrative office. They will then forward the messages to the councilmen. To leave a message, call (434) 656-6572.
It’s very important that your elected officials hear your voice because environmental groups are winning these policy battles by using scare tactics and making false accusations. They will continue winning them if uranium mining supporters don’t voice their support for the study. Call now!
7 comments:
Hmmm. You seem to be taking an extremely active PR role on behalf of Virginia Uranium, which leads to the question of whether you're being compensated for your efforts. Not as if you would actually reveal such information, but the average bear certainly questions your motives. As for the residents who live near the proposed mining site, they have every reason in the world to be proactive in protecting their property, well water and health by voting for any ordinance or resolution they wish. VUI has not come forth with a mining plan, so why should residents blindly put their faith in a company that could very well carve out a massive open pit uranium mine and build a mill with tailings that will have to be monitored forever in the community they call home?
Thanks for reading my post. It’s great to hear from readers.
I’d like to address your concerns. I’m not a Virginia Uranium employee and they’re not compensating me for writing this blog. I’m writing it because uranium mining could be very beneficial for Virginia and believe we should support it if it’s deemed safe by the study.
I am a resident and would love to see the state prosper. I’d also like to see Southside Virginia benefit because the loss of the profitable tobacco and textile industries have really depressed the economy in the area. Southside Virginia could really benefit from the shot-in-the-arm that Virginia Uranium would give to the local tax base.
I wouldn’t be advocating for uranium mining if I didn’t think it could be done safely. From what I’ve read, that can be done. If the study shows that it can’t be done safely, then I’ll quit writing this blog.
I know you don’t support uranium mining, but is there a chance that you’ll keep an open-mind during the study process? Everyone needs to let the process work before we make a decision on uranium mining. We need to be fair to proponents on both sides of the debate.
But also look at the wide scope of potential negative economic impacts from building a very large open pit uranium mine and mill. It could certainly cause property values to further decline, it could prompt wealthier families and professionals to move away (one such doctor has privately said as much), it could negatively affect enrollment at nearby private schools, it could prevent non-industry-related businesses from setting up shop, it could deter new residents (non-mining-families, etc) from moving to the area and increasing the tax base, it could certainly impact the character of the small, quaint bed & breakfast communities, etc. And ultimately the mill would have to be decommissioned, which typically has fallen on taxpayers at the cost of millions and millions.
With regard to "safety" -- that term takes on greater meaning to residents with regard to their health and natural resources and not just whether VUI can dig it out of the ground without anyone losing life or limb. I've yet to hear anyone from VUI respond to the latest health-related studies re: uranium -- like those out of Northern Arizona University?
And when you look at the downpours this region is getting -- and the flash flood watches being issued -- that just adds an entirely different layer of concern to risks of potential contamination that can neither be easily or cheaply remediated in water or on land...
Cavalier - I understand you're concerned about the well-being of your community. Like I've said before, I wouldn't be advocating for uranium mining if I didn't think it was safe.
I just think we should use the study process to find out if there is some truth to your claims.
Why fight the study if it will prove that you are correct?
If you are not part of VUI, where do you live?
Would you let your children be uranium miners.
I want SouthSide to be like Northern VA, high tech jobs.
I do not want Southside to be any type of miners or mill workers.
The State of VA has never let us have good jobs and not they want us to be miners.
I tell you and the State of Virginia to get lost!
Acethecat - I live in Alexandria, VA.
If you don't mind me asking, what do you have against miners?
Why are people who oppose a mining study so paranoid?? They all act as if someone is out to get them... as if there were a huge conspiracy because no one could possibly support a study unless they plan to benefit from it some way. I would argue that we could all benefit from a study, even if ground is never broken on a mine.
Why is the opposition so afraid of learning?
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