(Op-ed by Peter Children)
I believe that 99% of those living here want what is best for the community, they want everyone to prosper whether they know the people who live across town or not, they wish them well.
There is no question we need more jobs here as well as everywhere else in this country. And I further believe that every elected official in every community wants prosperity for everyone….except perhaps the republication party, but hey, that’s just me.
The division seems to be the route various parties want to take to get to the promised land. Hasn’t this always been the case? I’m right and you’re wrong is a familiar cry but how do we decide that question….
Before us now is this new experimental gasification burning plant, I say experimental because they have no other facility that they currently operate to compare with This would be their first installation. Already there are battle lines drawn between those who want to go full steam ahead and those who want to be more prudent and look further into it before going blindly into that dark night.
When you need work, everyday seems like it will never end, and you may feel like you’d grab anything but when push comes to shove I don’t think you would. Would you wear a hazmat suit and a mask and sort garbage running past you on a conveyer belt? It is said that those who do that work cannot last more than 90 days on the belt.
Then there is the chance of cancer handling and breathing the fumes, much like what happened to the 911 volunteers who rushed in to help when the Twin Towers fell. Also a threat exist for the community from floating fumes that could blanket sections of the city and surrounding countryside; maybe it will be a threat to livestock….who really knows?
I listened to the union rep. When he described the job description and as they go I was not impressed. From what I was able to discern there will be other stages in this offering to accept or decline based upon further findings. It should not be a point of argument between city officials but rather a joint effort to acquire something that will become a long standing benefit to our community. You want to remember that when these gentlemen drove into this town to present their offering, they were here to sell, not to buy…..
Peter Children
