Sand plant worries
| As a resident of Lake Hallie, I can't help but wonder how clean the air I breathe will be once the proposed sand plant begins operation in Chippewa Falls. I had very little knowledge of this operation until about a week before the Chippewa Falls City Council voted to proceed with approval of this plant, despite claims that it was well-publicized. Upon attending this meeting, it appeared that an attitude prevailed with the mayor and some council members that this was a cut-and-dried deal. My observation was that they didn't really welcome public opinion but had no choice. People who lived outside the city were not allowed to speak. I live on the south edge of the city and have concerns about the water table and air quality. I have learned to be skeptical of information provided by companies regarding emissions and other operations. The Chippewa Herald said all the opponents do is ask questions. In my opinion, this is a good thing because very little reliable information regarding this plant is available to the average citizen. Remember the National Presto sludge pond and Love Canal? These were legitimate operations, and cleanup was provided with taxpayers' money. Matters of this nature need to be thoroughly researched and approached slowly. A few people stand to make a bundle of money from this plant, and the average citizen will be left holding the bag. The City Council decision needs to be overturned. We deserve better from our elected representatives. I would be interested in knowing who stands to gain the most from this project and who is peddling the local influence. I only hope the wind blows the diesel fumes and the fumes from the plant's five stacks in the opposite direction from where I live. DALE R. MCGRAW Chippewa Falls |