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Land Dump
The other side responds: (::posted with much eye rolling::)
Published - January, 18, 2006
Viewpoint: Time for reality check on Saufley landfill
Autumn Morgan
The Saufley Field landfill has been a hot topic lately. It has been pinpointed for causing headaches, irritated eyes, odors and various other health concerns.
Step back, Pensacola, and realize that there are many other factors that have caused and contributed to most of these health concerns.
We were hit by a major hurricane last year that stirred up pollen and dust, promoted the growth of mold and mildew and left a virtual breeding ground for mosquitoes. Our recent weather also has contributed and has been instrumental in stirring up these health hazards. This is our local trash and debris, not refuse transported in from Mississippi or Louisiana.
The landfill is a tax-paying, revenue-generating business that employs many local people. Why should we care if the owners came from Louisiana or Mississippi? They live and shop in our community and pay taxes to our city, county and state just like the rest of us. Our economy has suffered enough, and we should not criticize or turn away outside businesses wanting to venture into Pensacola.
Anyone who knows and is familiar with this landfill knows that it has improved tremendously compared to when it was merely ''a mom and pop'' operation. The new owners have purchased costly equipment, completed extensive training programs and have made every attempt possible to alleviate the negative impact this site has on our community.
Instead of criticizing, we should be thanking each of these guys for working hard and long hours and helping us diminish the tremendous amount of trash and debris that piled up around our community and on our streets and houses after Hurricane Ivan. If not for the tireless efforts of everyone involved at the landfill, many of the ''hazards'' in the landfill would still be on our streets and neighborhoods. Now it's in a controlled, safe environment, and we're out of harm's way.
Where would you like to put the trash that was left behind after Hurricane Ivan? It won't go away and dissipate on its own. Stop complaining, and be thankful for what we have been given.
Autumn Morgan is a resident of Pensacola.
------------------------------------------------
Funny, I didn't think mosquitoes, pollen, and mold were causing the BILLOWING BLACK CLOUD I had to ride through the other day, the one that eclipsed the sun and made me think, momentarily, that I was driving through LA smog.
This first letter is from someone who works in my building. You go, girl!
'New' attitude
After reading Autumn Morgan's persuasive viewpoint ("Time for reality check on Saufley landfill," Jan. 18) regarding the Saufley Field landfill, I have decided to quit my job and devote myself full-time to being an enthusiastic champion of the dump.
Next time I'm holding my hand over my mouth and nose to lessen the sting of what I used to think of as a sickening stench, I'll tell myself, "This dump is not a smelly eyesore and potential health hazard, but a state-of-the-art landfill, providing many jobs and bolstering the local economy."
Morgan, with her thorough and factual information, has swayed me to adopt a totally new attitude. While I thought the repulsive odor came from so much debris piling up much too quickly, it turns out the real culprits are mosquitoes, pollen, dust and the "recent weather." It's not the dump's fault I routinely have to get nails removed from my tires; it's those darn mosquitoes.
I plan to rally in support of the dump every weekday, rain or shine (preferably shine -- the rain can really bring out the "aroma" of the wet debris). Wave to me as you drive by, if you dare. I'll be the one holding a sign that says: "Training and equipment mean this dump don't stink." Alternate signs will include: "Whoever smelt it, dealt it," and "Bring on da funk. Bring on da jobs!"
-- Martha Rogers
Pensacola
------------------------------------
Published - January, 26, 2006
Viewpoint: Saufley 'dump' is polluting the air
Thomas Umbaugh
This is an opposing viewpoint to "Time for reality check on Saufley landfill" (Viewpoint, Jan. 18) by Autumn Morgan.
The Saufley Field dump truly has been a hot topic lately. I call it a dump because a landfill is the disposal of debris by burying it under soil or earth.
A dump, on the other hand, is a rubbish pile or a place for dumping debris. In this case, it is an estimated 20-to-40-foot high rubbish pile containing substances that when burned cause toxic fumes and smoke to pollute the surrounding neighborhoods.
And burn it does, daily! On Jan. 4, at 6:15 a.m., I walked into my garage to leave for work. The acrid stench took my breath away even before I opened the garage door. Looking across the skyline, a dark flat layer of smoke stretched across the entire neighborhood. I drove the one block along East Fence Road to Saufley Field Road and discovered that the entire southwest corner of the dump was engulfed in smoke.
My wife and I moved into this neighborhood 11 years ago. There was no dump at that location, there was a landfill. The ''mom and pop'' operation rarely caught fire, was below groundlevel, and the operation did not incite citizens to rally against it.
As many as 400 citizens would not get out of bed on a Saturday morning to complain about a tax-paying, revenue-generating, ''landfill'' business if there wasn't something wrong. Pollen, dust, mold, mildew and mosquitoes are gifts from Mother Nature. Air pollution from the dump is man-made and preventable.
While I sympathize with the employees at the dump who are simply trying to earn a living, I believe it is the owner's responsibility to avoid violating citizens' rights to fresh air.
Please stop polluting our air. Close the dump!
Thomas Umbaugh is a resident of Pensacola.
-----------------------------------------------------------
Published - January, 31, 2006
Saufley Field residents an endangered species
Jason Chumley
Life is funny how it works sometimes. I remember when I was a teenager, I could go fishing almost anywhere. Now, when I'm an old guy, I try to fish and I'm told by the law folks I have to leave because it's private property.
Heck, where does an old guy like me go fishing anymore?
Another funny story: One day I was driving home, and I was behind one of those trucks going to "stink mountain" over here at Saufley Field, and a doggone board fell off and hit my front glass and broke it.
Guess what? Those law folks pulled me over and gave me a ticket for having a broken front glass.
I said: But heck, it did three cartwheels before it hit my front glass and broke it. After I told my story about how it got broke, they gave me one of those warning tickets instead, because they said I was still following too close.
Here's another funny story: I was walking down the beach, trying to find a place to fish again. I found me a place to sit. Now, I'm minding my own business, ain't bothering nobody. I see some people walking toward me down the beach. You got it, folks -- the law people again.
I'm thinking: What am I doing wrong this time?
Well, as the story goes, I didn't think nothing of it when I was digging me a seat out in the sand. Then, I came across these two little ball-looking things. These law people let me know that those little ball-looking things were sea turtle eggs, and I had disturbed the nest. Gosh, I'm in trouble again!
I bought me a little weekend cottage over in Perdido Key a while back. Thought as I got older, I'd have a place to get away to and relax. I hadn't been there no time, and I found some rats living in my house.
I went to the local hardware store and bought me some of those mouse traps. The next day, I took those mouse traps to the store to show them city folks how well they worked. One guess as to who walks in. Yep, those law folks again. Doggone it! I had killed one of them protected, endangered Perdido mice!
So I guess that's how the Saufley Landfill, aka "stink mountain," can't be closed down. I've been told that it's one of the last few of its kind in Escambia County. It don't matter how much smoke, dust or toxic fumes people breath. No matter what gets in their water to pollute it. No matter that their property values have nose-dived. It don't matter, 'cause them there landfills are an endangered piece of property here in Escambia County.
Sure hope I live to see the day when we citizens here at Saufley Field are an endangered species. Then we will have all this protection. My goodness, life sure can be funny.
Jason Chumley is a resident of Pensacola.
Published - January, 18, 2006
Viewpoint: Time for reality check on Saufley landfill
Autumn Morgan
The Saufley Field landfill has been a hot topic lately. It has been pinpointed for causing headaches, irritated eyes, odors and various other health concerns.
Step back, Pensacola, and realize that there are many other factors that have caused and contributed to most of these health concerns.
We were hit by a major hurricane last year that stirred up pollen and dust, promoted the growth of mold and mildew and left a virtual breeding ground for mosquitoes. Our recent weather also has contributed and has been instrumental in stirring up these health hazards. This is our local trash and debris, not refuse transported in from Mississippi or Louisiana.
The landfill is a tax-paying, revenue-generating business that employs many local people. Why should we care if the owners came from Louisiana or Mississippi? They live and shop in our community and pay taxes to our city, county and state just like the rest of us. Our economy has suffered enough, and we should not criticize or turn away outside businesses wanting to venture into Pensacola.
Anyone who knows and is familiar with this landfill knows that it has improved tremendously compared to when it was merely ''a mom and pop'' operation. The new owners have purchased costly equipment, completed extensive training programs and have made every attempt possible to alleviate the negative impact this site has on our community.
Instead of criticizing, we should be thanking each of these guys for working hard and long hours and helping us diminish the tremendous amount of trash and debris that piled up around our community and on our streets and houses after Hurricane Ivan. If not for the tireless efforts of everyone involved at the landfill, many of the ''hazards'' in the landfill would still be on our streets and neighborhoods. Now it's in a controlled, safe environment, and we're out of harm's way.
Where would you like to put the trash that was left behind after Hurricane Ivan? It won't go away and dissipate on its own. Stop complaining, and be thankful for what we have been given.
Autumn Morgan is a resident of Pensacola.
------------------------------------------------
Funny, I didn't think mosquitoes, pollen, and mold were causing the BILLOWING BLACK CLOUD I had to ride through the other day, the one that eclipsed the sun and made me think, momentarily, that I was driving through LA smog.
This first letter is from someone who works in my building. You go, girl!
'New' attitude
After reading Autumn Morgan's persuasive viewpoint ("Time for reality check on Saufley landfill," Jan. 18) regarding the Saufley Field landfill, I have decided to quit my job and devote myself full-time to being an enthusiastic champion of the dump.
Next time I'm holding my hand over my mouth and nose to lessen the sting of what I used to think of as a sickening stench, I'll tell myself, "This dump is not a smelly eyesore and potential health hazard, but a state-of-the-art landfill, providing many jobs and bolstering the local economy."
Morgan, with her thorough and factual information, has swayed me to adopt a totally new attitude. While I thought the repulsive odor came from so much debris piling up much too quickly, it turns out the real culprits are mosquitoes, pollen, dust and the "recent weather." It's not the dump's fault I routinely have to get nails removed from my tires; it's those darn mosquitoes.
I plan to rally in support of the dump every weekday, rain or shine (preferably shine -- the rain can really bring out the "aroma" of the wet debris). Wave to me as you drive by, if you dare. I'll be the one holding a sign that says: "Training and equipment mean this dump don't stink." Alternate signs will include: "Whoever smelt it, dealt it," and "Bring on da funk. Bring on da jobs!"
-- Martha Rogers
Pensacola
------------------------------------
Published - January, 26, 2006
Viewpoint: Saufley 'dump' is polluting the air
Thomas Umbaugh
This is an opposing viewpoint to "Time for reality check on Saufley landfill" (Viewpoint, Jan. 18) by Autumn Morgan.
The Saufley Field dump truly has been a hot topic lately. I call it a dump because a landfill is the disposal of debris by burying it under soil or earth.
A dump, on the other hand, is a rubbish pile or a place for dumping debris. In this case, it is an estimated 20-to-40-foot high rubbish pile containing substances that when burned cause toxic fumes and smoke to pollute the surrounding neighborhoods.
And burn it does, daily! On Jan. 4, at 6:15 a.m., I walked into my garage to leave for work. The acrid stench took my breath away even before I opened the garage door. Looking across the skyline, a dark flat layer of smoke stretched across the entire neighborhood. I drove the one block along East Fence Road to Saufley Field Road and discovered that the entire southwest corner of the dump was engulfed in smoke.
My wife and I moved into this neighborhood 11 years ago. There was no dump at that location, there was a landfill. The ''mom and pop'' operation rarely caught fire, was below groundlevel, and the operation did not incite citizens to rally against it.
As many as 400 citizens would not get out of bed on a Saturday morning to complain about a tax-paying, revenue-generating, ''landfill'' business if there wasn't something wrong. Pollen, dust, mold, mildew and mosquitoes are gifts from Mother Nature. Air pollution from the dump is man-made and preventable.
While I sympathize with the employees at the dump who are simply trying to earn a living, I believe it is the owner's responsibility to avoid violating citizens' rights to fresh air.
Please stop polluting our air. Close the dump!
Thomas Umbaugh is a resident of Pensacola.
-----------------------------------------------------------
Published - January, 31, 2006
Saufley Field residents an endangered species
Jason Chumley
Life is funny how it works sometimes. I remember when I was a teenager, I could go fishing almost anywhere. Now, when I'm an old guy, I try to fish and I'm told by the law folks I have to leave because it's private property.
Heck, where does an old guy like me go fishing anymore?
Another funny story: One day I was driving home, and I was behind one of those trucks going to "stink mountain" over here at Saufley Field, and a doggone board fell off and hit my front glass and broke it.
Guess what? Those law folks pulled me over and gave me a ticket for having a broken front glass.
I said: But heck, it did three cartwheels before it hit my front glass and broke it. After I told my story about how it got broke, they gave me one of those warning tickets instead, because they said I was still following too close.
Here's another funny story: I was walking down the beach, trying to find a place to fish again. I found me a place to sit. Now, I'm minding my own business, ain't bothering nobody. I see some people walking toward me down the beach. You got it, folks -- the law people again.
I'm thinking: What am I doing wrong this time?
Well, as the story goes, I didn't think nothing of it when I was digging me a seat out in the sand. Then, I came across these two little ball-looking things. These law people let me know that those little ball-looking things were sea turtle eggs, and I had disturbed the nest. Gosh, I'm in trouble again!
I bought me a little weekend cottage over in Perdido Key a while back. Thought as I got older, I'd have a place to get away to and relax. I hadn't been there no time, and I found some rats living in my house.
I went to the local hardware store and bought me some of those mouse traps. The next day, I took those mouse traps to the store to show them city folks how well they worked. One guess as to who walks in. Yep, those law folks again. Doggone it! I had killed one of them protected, endangered Perdido mice!
So I guess that's how the Saufley Landfill, aka "stink mountain," can't be closed down. I've been told that it's one of the last few of its kind in Escambia County. It don't matter how much smoke, dust or toxic fumes people breath. No matter what gets in their water to pollute it. No matter that their property values have nose-dived. It don't matter, 'cause them there landfills are an endangered piece of property here in Escambia County.
Sure hope I live to see the day when we citizens here at Saufley Field are an endangered species. Then we will have all this protection. My goodness, life sure can be funny.
Jason Chumley is a resident of Pensacola.