But the group was not easily turned away, and insisted the Board has a duty to hear County residents on issues of public concern, and that the Board of Supervisors meeting is the proper forum. Discussion brought under Public Comment is limited to ten minutes per subject and three minutes per speaker. In addition, Board members cannot comment or take any action on issues under Public Comment because proper public notification has not been given. Items listed on the agenda constitute such notification. Furthermore, matters on the agenda provide the mechanism for the Supervisors to take action.
As the discussion heated up and Board members engaged in dialogue, County Counsel Peter Klein instructed Peterson to call a recess. Still the group and their supporters persisted, and upon the Board members return to the chambers, speakers continued their comments.
From the Board meeting, the group moved to the courthouse, where they met with Paul Hagen. They advised him that he was being cited as the obstacle to a public hearing and asked he remove himself from that position. Hagen said he wasn't opposed to public hearings as long as he could have an opportunity to meet with the group's expert witness and discuss the information in a more comprehensive way, as well. He agreed to contact Supervisor Peterson and give him the same message. To date, the group has still not been given time on the agenda.
SNAG members are concerned about the effects of incineration of hazardous material and waste conducted by Retech to test the incinerators they build. Material burned includes chemical weapons surogates, pesticides, PVC's which create dioxins, and radioactive matter. Contamination of ground water and of the Russian River, which supplies drinking water to half a million people, is also a grave concern, putting the neighborhood and entire community in jeopardy. In addition, the plant emits a level of noise which is not acceptable to its neighbors.
Not the least of the concerns are the blatant disregard for zoning regulations by Retech and the complacency by the County regulatory agencies. The group is demanding that all operation of the incinerators stop.
A public forum to present this vital information is set for Wednesday, July 30, at 7pm. Call the MEC for the location.
Copyright Mendocino Environmental Center 1997
Permission granted to excerpt or use this article if source is cited