but wonder if they were well informed in this latest decision."
Me wondering about Bill:
Rest assured that after several months of discussion formal and
informal, numerous meetings throughout northeast and media coverage,
folks are well informed on the waste facility proposal and the process
that is taking place. And, in fact, one of the reasons some people
object to the project is indeed because of its LACK of job creation.
The city/county have projected 8-12 jobs at the proposed facility (on
about six acres). Most of these jobs are mere transfers from another
location, not new jobs. This fails the city's own formula for private
development. Many folks think we can aim higher and do better -- and
they are actively talking and collaborating about how we can bring
21st-century industry and jobs to the East Side, not 19th-century
industry like this proposal.
Related to this, other folks who oppose the waste facility are asking
for a citywide (or metro-wide, even better) dialog about how we do
handle waste and whether this is the best way -- since the case so far
is weak to nonexistent for this location and this facility.
There are many and varied reasons for people's opposition to this. And
to say it's NIMBYism is no longer the insult some hurlers think the
term is: Here's an interesting article from a planning digest that
makes me want to see new yard signs saying "NIMBY and proud of it."
excerpt: "So cut the NIMBY some slack. At best they are guardians of
the environment and proponents of open government and fair dealing. At
worst they are a necessary evil keeping an eye on local government
while the rest of us, untroubled, enjoy the environment they protect."
http://www.planetizen.com/node/46846
Gayle Bonneville
works and lives in northeast