I attended the meeting on the socioeconomic impact of uranium mining and milling in the Chatham labor shed at the cultural center in Chatham Dec. 6. After that meeting, I heard and read many interpretations of this presentation. I believe that it is like when we interpret verses in the Bible. We all see things differently, depending where we are in our walk with the Lord.
With uranium, many people only see the jobs that could be created; many see the tax benefits that could be generated; many see how their property values will drop; many see the dangers of mining and milling; and many see the quality of life change for the worse as we know it today. This is what I see in this study.
The members of the Virginia Coal and Energy Commission were given the first opportunity to ask questions on the Chmura study. No one on that committee asked questions, which raised a red flag for me. Either they were experts and didn't need this study or they had made up their minds on how they would vote in January 2012. This certainly wasn't the case when citizens were given the opportunity to ask questions. There were many good questions asked about this study. The answers to some of these questions still leave us in limbo of what is an acceptable risk. Would you be willing to be one of the causalities of uranium mining and milling in Pittsylvania County? Would you be willing to sacrifice your family's health or way of life for the good of the country?
I believe that this is too risky of a project to have any acceptable causalities, health or otherwise. We have been conditioned to our surroundings of risk, and as long as it's not affecting me or my family, then it's OK. We need to care about the other people around us, not just what is good for ourselves.
After the meeting, I asked Daniel Meges two questions: how many studies has Chmura done on the effects of uranium mining and milling and if he would be willing to move his family and live within two miles of Coles Hill project? His answers were, this is the first study his firm has done on uranium mining and milling, and no, he would not move his family within two miles of uranium project.
The Board of Supervisors held a work session Dec. 14. Sen. Frank Ruff, Del. Danny Marshall and Del. Don Merricks were in attendance. On a positive note, they felt the ban on uranium mining will not be lifted any time in the near future in Virginia.
The Board of Supervisors has asked the legislature to allow Pittsylvania County to start charging a fee on solid waste disposal for households in Pittsylvania County. This means that, if passed in Richmond, it starts the ball rolling to implement a solid waste fee. The board has also asked to have an additional 1 percent sales tax and to look at placing sales tax on sales of lottery tickets. The state is cutting back on local funding, and we have to be creative in generating revenue to keep local government operating.
At the Dec. 5 meeting, the board passed the following items in 7-0 votes: a new courtroom security policy; West Piedmont Planning District Commission's legislative package; Tri-County Lake Administration's legislative package; open-space agreement with Banister Bend Farm to allow land use on 226 acres as a wildlife habitat; resolution to support Olde Dominion Agricultural Foundation's application to the tobacco commission for $900,000; continue with E911 radio control contracts; allow Smith Mountain Lake Regional Chamber of Commerce to use Pittsylvania County's seal on a new license plate; allow a temporary Verizon tower on county property until a permanent site is located and built; allow the sheriff's department to purchase a surveillance system for $18,040 from federal restricted seizure funds; and increase Metropolitan Planning Organization's funding an additional $20,000.
Supervisors voted 5-2 to continue a tobacco grant of $82,352.14 for workforce investment and passed 6-0 votes to rescind section 12-1 of the Pittsylvania County Code related to the sale of beer and wine on Sundays in the county. The towns need to rescind their own ordinances if they want to allow sales of beer and wine on Sundays.
To get the board's packet or other information, go to www.pittgov.org. This is a tool for all citizens to use and help to keep a watchful eye on county business.
Feel free to contact me by telephone at 434-335-5967. Please, no phone calls after 9 p.m. You can email me at any hour at [email protected]. I want to know your thoughts or ideas on issues.
I want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas a Happy New Year.