Sand plant foes, speak out
| The people of Chippewa County were given the opportunity to become informed and to voice their opinions about the proposed silica sand processing plant in Chippewa Falls and the sand mines to be established to support it. The turnout was admirable on Feb. 19, with 200 people filling perhaps three-fourths of the middle school auditorium. However, as I looked around, a disproportionate percentage of us were 60 or older. It has been said that those of us who are most vocal are just a bunch of old people who don't have anything else to do. Believe me, that couldn't be further from the truth. Those of us trying to bring this issue to the people (and it does include many who aren't 60 or older) are sacrificing a great deal of our time and energy because we are genuinely concerned about what is possibly going to happen to Chippewa Falls and the surrounding area. We, however, aren't enough. We are perceived as a relatively small group, but because of the admirable - but not awesome - turnout, our elected officials, as well as others involved in this plant, believe the vast majority of Chippewa Falls-area residents are in favor of this proposal. That means you are in favor of becoming a heavy industrial mining town. If you don't agree with this, then where were you? You must make your voices heard because it's not a done deal. We need all of us, both young and young at heart. Visit www.ccc-wis.com to find out how. IRENE PRUZEK Chippewa Falls |