When: Monday, August 13th, from 7:00-8:30pm
Where: UC Center, 550 E. Shaw, Fresno (across from Fashion Fair)
What: Featured Speaker will be Otto Lee, candidate for Congressional District 22. We will also have an update from OFA (local Obama campaign).
As usual light refreshments will be served and announcements are welcome during the "Around the Table" portion of the agenda (bring handouts if available).
- Bob Merrill, V4CF member, asks everyone to attend these 3 VERY IMPORTANT HEARINGS. Please feel free to forward this information to anyone who might be interested and able to attend. As Bob says, "numbers are important" and a good turnout at these meetings makes a difference! (More details about each issue can be found below):
1. FRESNO COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION – Re: CARMELITA MINE
WHEN: Thursday, Aug. 9th at 10:30am
WHERE: Auditorium of the old Del Webb building (Tulare & M Street)
The hearing on Thursday is a front page story in the BEE today:
"Opposition to Carmelita mine proposal expected" Here is a link to the story:
http://www.fresnobee.com/2012/
2. FRESNO CITY COUNCIL – Re: PRIVATIZATION OF CITY TRASH COLLECTION
WHEN: Thursday, Aug. 16th at 1:00pm (Note: The City Council meeting starts at 1:00pm but once the final agenda comes out on Friday August 10th, you can check the City of Fresno website for the time the issue is scheduled to be heard.)
WHERE: Fresno City Hall
3. FRESNO COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS – Re: JESSE MORROW MOUNTAIN
(CEMEX’S AGGREGATE MINE & ASPHALT PLANT)
WHEN: August 28th at 9:00am
WHERE: Hall of Records
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DETAILS ABOUT THE CARMELITA MINE:
The Carmelita Mine is a proposed sand and gravel mine near the Kings River.
The Draft EIR for the Carmelita Mine project can be found at: http://www.co.fresno.ca.us/
Speakers will be limited to 3 minutes. Bob suggests sticking to one or two facts, and including a question to the commissioners. The main points to emphasize are:
1. The destruction of good agricultural land. The final pit depth will be lower than the Kings River, and therefore agricultural reclamation in the pit is unlikely to impossible. Can any commissioner name an example in the valley where Ag restoration has been successful of abandoned gravel mines?
2. Pits will extend into groundwater, and when abandoned become an endless source
of groundwater pollution and financial liability to the County. How large a bond should the County require to avoid the taxpayer picking up the tab?
3. In view of the economic downturn and the foreclosure crisis, how accurate is the
estimate for Fresno County's future sand and gravel needs? Or do the projected needs include areas outside of Fresno County?
4. All of the projected estimates for sand and gravel needs in Fresno County and the Central Valley assume continued population growth. This population growth means continued loss of agricultural land, and increased water needs by that growth. With the loss of agricultural land, where will this growing population obtain its food? At what point do we consider that infinite growth is NOT possible on the FINITE resource of high quality agricultural soils?
5. Air pollution. How does one interpret the applicant's statement that PM10, PM 2.5 and NOx will be reduced to the extent feasible? Shouldn't the County require a measurable standard so that asthma sufferers are are not further impacted? What is that standard, and shouldn't the County require that new technologies be installed as they become available? What happens if the operator says that type of pollution reduction equipment is too expensive to install?
6. When mining is completed there will be a net water loss due to evaporation from
the ponds of 1 acre foot per acre per year more than is currently lost from the existing fruit orchard agricultural operations. This in a county that is already short on water supply. What do you suggest the county do to offset this water loss without impacting the taxpayer?
7. What happens at the cessation of mining, when the owner quits paying property taxes, letting the property ownership lapse and fall to the county? How will the County protect the taxpayer?
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DETAILS ABOUT THE PRIVITIZATION OF TRASH COLLECTION:
The Mayor of the City of Fresno desires to privatize Residential Trash Collection.
Issues and Concerns:
1. Currently the trash collection is a self supporting enterprise, that means wages and benefits, equipment and maintenance are fully supported by collection fees. There is no General Fund money used to pay for the service. Why doesn't Mayor Swearengin tell you that fact? This unit of the City also earned a national award for its efficiency, and now she wants to sell it off. Why?
2. Selling the equipment is a one time infusion into the City's General Fund. There is no buying it back, once the service is gone, you no longer have control over any problems that occur. Sure you can call the City and complain, but your elected representatives cannot do very much to help you.
3. The annual franchise fee will be negotiated in future years, and its amount is not guaranteed, that is subject to negotiations.
4. Currently Fresno residents enjoy some of the lowest trash collection fees in California, and the Mayor is not telling you that. Why?
5. Trash collection fee increases and cuts in vehicle maintenance and workers wages are about the only areas that a private company can use to maintain profits.
6. Decreased worker wages will further lower employment compensation in Fresno.
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DETAILS ABOUT JESSE MORROW MOUNTAIN/CEMEX:
The Fresno County Board of Supervisors will vote on Cemex’s Aggregate Mine and Asphalt Plant at Jesse Morrow Mountain on Tuesday, August 28, 2012. It is critical
that we have a large turnout of opponents to the mine and that speakers are prepared to make clear and factual presentations (limited to three minutes). Cheers and singing will not impress the Board members. Brief, cogent letters to the Board members will ALSO be helpful, but should be sent at least a week prior to the meeting.
Please see the July 17th V4CF Blog/Eblast for more facts/talking points about this issue.
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