The Eureka Times StandardWe told them we smelled the stink from the mill. They said we were exaggerating. We told them it made us sick. They ignored us and gave it a variance allowing it to continue to pollute. We told them about the black smoke and ashes we saw at night. They said it wasn’t so. We told them we were afraid of cancer and pointed to the high cancer rate in Humboldt County. They treated us like we were crazy. The E.P.A. fined the mill for violations again and again. The Chamber of Commerce made it the business of the year. Then the mill owners left town, leaving no forwarding address.Now a new company wants to start this mill up again. Once again those in authority including elected officials and even some environmental organizations stand and applaud. “Everyone is in favor of this new plan,” they say. Yet all the meetings have been behind closed doors. No one has asked us, those who live here. We are expendable. They say this time it won’t pollute, but a kraft pulp mill by definition puts out carcinogens. We have double the national rate of blood cancers. This is typical in mill counties. They can add equipment that will lower the level, but they can’t eliminate the toxins. You can dress a pig up and take it to the party, but it will still be a pig. This mill should never operate again and our tax money should not be used for it. Sincerely, Carol Binder
13 Comments
10/18/2009 01:13:22 pm
After reading your email I am compelled to correct some of the mis-information you spreading. First, The Surfriders lawsuit occured in 1990. I joined LP in April of 1992. I moved to Samoa in May of 1992. My first action was to settle the Surfriders lawsuit. I did so by making the decision to concert the Samoa mill into a chlorine-free pulp mill. I had other choices. I believe my choice was environmentally correct.
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John Wood
10/19/2009 03:15:25 am
It's truly wonderful to see that the internet, the great equalizer of the media, can also be utilized by those who already have the print media in their pockets. I certainly hope that Mr. Simpson hears from the people of the county who see right through his public relations double speak. To suggest "I am not aware of any black smoke issue" is a clear example of the plausible deniability tactic so often employed in government.
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living in Eureka
10/19/2009 07:00:24 am
keep up the great work guys. I'm very sorry about the people who lost their jobs when the Pulp Mill closed....BUT!
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10/19/2009 09:50:35 am
Mr. Simpson, I have corrected the error with regards to the Surfrider's suit. I was a year off. I do apologize.
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ashes and dirty dust
10/19/2009 12:20:08 pm
Hey guys, enough with technical jargon. The majority of the public here on the coast does not want the Somoa Pulp Mill here in Eureka period. We HAVE seen the dark smoke cloud at night AND the ashes from the mill falling out of the sky as well as have it emit a naseating stench. We in Eureka have lost loved ones a many from what we say is due at least in part to the carciagen emisions from the pulp mill here in Eureka. Yes, folks. We have had mysterious headaches and nasea following "the dark clouds" Sometimes we here in Eureka have had headaches for days. We treasure our beautiful Eureka. Our hard working folks that have lost jobs at the mill will forge ahead....we always do
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10/19/2009 02:22:58 pm
The Evergreen Pulp study that was never finished should be done regardless, I think this part is interesting stuff. The Gound and Water does not know or care who owes that Mill or piece of land. Either it's poisoning them or not! What happen to the earth, air and Water (rivers and Bay)happens to us living around this eco system.
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10/20/2009 11:52:52 pm
I honestly think you all believe you are speaking the truth. Unfortunately, you are mis-informed.
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John Wood
10/22/2009 03:53:20 am
I'm more impressed than ever about the power of the internet to bring the community together. I never expected a conversation to take place on this page and I must applaud Mr. Simpson for making himself so accessible. This is at least one case where you have made a significant distinction between yourself and other CEOs in your industry. You are either choosing to put your body on the front lines of public relations, or you are the real deal just trying to get across.
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10/22/2009 04:57:22 am
First, If I have offended you I offer my sincere apology. That is not my intention.
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Alan Crane
10/22/2009 06:58:49 am
I think Mr. Simpson mat be well advised to remember the #1 rule of Public Relations:
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John Wood
10/22/2009 09:00:33 am
I am not offended, your initial comments were sharp and dismissive of the author(s) of the blog and I chimed in on their behalf. As someone who suffers severe allergies and asthma I am hard-wired to mistrust those who represent polluting industries. And as a small business man who has had a very humble upbringing I harbor a deep resentment for the ownership class. As you mentioned "Generally, capitalism does not work for the environment." I would ad even more generally, it does not work for people, or the world we share.
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Anon of Ibid
10/23/2009 12:41:57 am
In my 12 years in Eureka, I have not seen black smoke from the pulp mill. Does anyone have a photograph of this black smoke? A log of which days it was issuing?
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10/24/2009 11:21:53 pm
One of the great aspects of blogs is the ability for people to express themselves, regardless of their views. Thank you for reading mine.
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AuthorWe live here in West Eureka have been victims of Evergreen Pulp's pollution. Now Freshwater Pulp wants to start it up again. We would like to know your thoughts and experiences with this. Now that Freshwater is not going to reopen, we are concerned about the massive quantity of contaminants that have been dumped on the site. These sites usually leak into adjacent areas and people live 750 yards from the point of maximum impact, the most polluted point, a Hot spot. We are also concerned that the Marina center site be properly cleaned up and will continue to discuss other local issues here. However, we will not let the mill issue rest until we actually see the smokestacks go down and the site is cleaned up. Archives
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