Citizens of Chase, please wake up!
Most of you know about the proposed rezoning and industrialization of certain properties within our town limits. But many of you are not aware of the extent to which it could affect each and every one of us if approved.
In a misguided attempt to bring in a few more tax dollars, our city council is considering putting at risk our peaceful and healthy lifestyle.
For the sake of a handful of jobs we all will become subject to land, air and water pollution. No one is immune from the effects of pollution. It knows no boundaries.
The low cloud cover that commonly covers our area especially in the winter will contain and distribute industrial emissions and carcinogenic diesel residues.
The increased constant noise and fallout could devalue many homes by hundreds of thousands of dollars.
The dirty track record of the pellet industry is not hard to find. The files of complaints of pollution and the industry’s unwillingness or inability to clean up its messes are readily available.
Consider the fallout of sawdust particulates into the surrounding river and lake, your home and landscape. They can say they are “state-of the-art” all they want, but I don’t buy it. The Titanic was also considered state-of-the-art. It means nothing.
The phrase that Chase is dying is so untrue. The population of Chase in 2001 was 2,460. Today it is 2,600. Just because a few businesses have failed does not mean we are on the road to destruction. And furthermore, the introduction of a small number of jobs is not going to make any appreciable difference to our economic situation.
I implore you as members of this small and caring community to pull together. We must protect each other and say no to the proposed rezoning and the introduction of industry so close to our homes.
You can write to the Village Office at Box 440 or phone 250 679-3238. Make your voices heard. You may be the next one who needs help.
Ellen Blackburn
