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Last spring, more than 300 Merrick residents turned out for a rally to protest a planned cell tower across from Chatterton Elementary School. The reason for the furor: Parents feared their children would be exposed to radio-frequency radiation given off by such a tower. Some preliminary studies have shown possible causal links between RF radiation and cancer, but to date, no connection has been proven.
The residents said they were concerned first for their children's health and second for their property values. The mere perception that a cell tower might harm Chatterton children would be enough to send property values plummeting, they said.
After the protest, Sprint backed away from its proposal to build the tower. Score one for Merrick.
This year, we learn that the community faces a potentially far graver danger to the health not only of our children, but of all residents. We're talking, of course, about Freeport Electric's diesel Plant No. 2, which sits just across the Meadowbrook Parkway from Merrick's Old Lindenmere section.
Unlike RF radiation, many studies by government agencies like the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health and the California Environmental Protection Agency have shown diesel exhaust to be a probable carcinogen.
In fact, as early as 1990, the State of California administratively listed diesel exhaust under Proposition 65 "as a chemical known to the state to cause cancer."
That's why we wonder how the Village of Freeport can, in good conscience, continue running Power Plant No. 2. It was outmoded when built in 1967-1970 and can produce as much unfiltered diesel exhaust per hour as would 150 18-wheel tractor-trailers.
The village, however, keeps the plant going and going.
The Old Lindenmere Civic Association is planning a protest opposing the plant's continued operation (see front-page story). We must all support Old Lindenmere, particularly its leaders, such as President Joe Kralovich, who until now have battled the plant almost single-handedly.
The rally is intended to raise awareness of the complex issues surrounding Plant No. 2 and to demonstrate to Freeport Village officials that large numbers of Merrick residents are disgusted with their use of a diesel plant.
The protest is to take place in three weeks, with a date, time and place to be announced. In short, if you're from Merrick, or Bellmore, or Freeport, or Baldwin, or East Meadow, or Roosevelt, plan to be there. People's lives could be at stake.
We also expect to see our local elected leaders: Sen. Charles Fuschillo, who has openly called for the plant to be shut down and is now locked in negotiations with Freeport to do so, Congressman Peter King, county Executive Thomas Gulotta, Legis. David Denenberg, Legis. Norma Gonsalves, Hempstead Town Supervisor Richard Guardino, town Councilwoman Angelina Cullin and town Councilman Gary Hudes.
Most elected leaders turned out for the rally against Sprint and even spoke in opposition to its cell-tower proposal. That required a moderate level of courage.
We recognize that standing arm in arm with Merrick residents against Plant No. 2 will require true political fortitude, as Freeport controls a huge block of Republican votes needed for most area politicians to stay in office. Merrick residents noted during an Old Lindenmere Civic meeting last week, however, that they, too, control a big block of votes.
Plant No. 2, we believe, could and should become a litmus test for Merrick residents when they cast their ballots in local elections. The Herald will certainly use it as one when writing its annual election endorsements.
Finally, the Merrick School District has begun a letter-writing campaign similar to that started by the Herald in recent weeks, encouraging residents to express concerns about Plant No. 2 to the proper authorities. Below, the Herald is reprinting Merrick's letters, which went to all district parents. You only need to sign the letters and post them. Please do.
Anyone interested in getting involved with the rally may call Joe Kralovich at (516) 546-5632.
Letters to the Community
Editor's Notes: The following are two Merrick School District letters about Freeport's diesel Plant No. 2: one from Dr. Ronald Smith, Merrick school superintendent, to local parents; the second, from parents to officials.
From Dr. Ronald Smith:
To Parents:
Recently, the Merrick Board of Education reviewed the concerns of a number of our citizens regarding the operation of the Freeport Power Plant No. 2 on Buffalo Avenue in south Freeport, across from Merrick.
It is our understanding that the power plant emits pollutants in excess of the federal limit. In addition, the permit to operate the plant is not in compliance with many present state and federal regulations. Under the present permit, the emission of unsafe contaminants is allowed. The contaminants include carbon monoxide, lead, sulfur dioxide, particualtes, oxides of nitrogen and VOC (volatile organic compounds).
Much of the exhaust for this plant travels toward the adjacent Merrick property, and therefore, many families come in contact with unsafe contaminants. This Freeprot plant operates mostly during the summer, although it is our understanding that there are plans for the plant to potentially operate throughout the year.
The Clean Air Act, enacted in 1963 and amended in 1970 and 1990, requires significant reduction of pollutants from industrial sources, including electric power plants. The contaminants are known or suspected to cause many health-related problems, including cancer in humans. The Freeprot plant is allowed to run without any pollutant controls, even though diesel exhaust is considered a significant health risk by several federal agencies, including the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency).
The Merrick Board of Education is working with members of our community to request that the Department of Environmental Conservation in Albany review the plant's operation to insure all environmentally related controls are utilized. Such a plant, built in 1969, should have proper controls to eliminate the inappropriate contaminants from the air. If proper controls cannot be added to the plant, the plant should be immediately closed.
We ask each and every one of you to send a letter to the Department of Environmental Conservation and to the Mayor of Freeport asking them to take immediate action. They know about our concern, but we believe letters will generate action. We have enclosed sample letters, which you can sign and send, or if you prefer, please write your own letter.
Thank you in advance for your assistance.
Sincerely,
Ronald Smith, Ph.D.
Superintendent of Schools
Ms. Erin Crotty
Environmental Conservation Commissioner,
Department of Environmental Conservation, Executive Offices
50 Wolf Rd., Albany, NY 12233
and/or
Mayor William Glacken
46 North Ocean Avenue
Freeport, NY 11520
Dear :
I am writing to express my concern about Freeport Electric's diesel Power Plant No. 2, on Buffalo Avenue in south Freeport, across from Merrick. The plant has no pollution controls and its exhaust contains a host of known and potentially cancer-causing gases.
Such a plant, built in 1969, should have proper controls to eliminate inappropriate contaminants from the air. If proper controls cannot be added to the plant, the plant should be immediately closed, as it endangers Merrick and Freeport residents.
Please act now to protect our environment and the health of all our residents, especially our children.
Thank you for your attention.
Sincerely,
