Last night at the county commissioners meeting it was clear why 300 plus Wilmington area residents were present. Hint: it was not to support a billion dollar corporation’s plan to build their largest cement manufacturing plant in the United States right in our backyard.

Unlike to seemingly “concerned” but ultimately complacent board of county commissioners, the local STOP TITAN movement and STAR NEWS seem to be portraying a much more pragmatic account of the inevitable impact of this proposed cement plant on the Wilmington region. STAR NEWS presents us with the dire truth of the current situation:

“New Hanover County officials worked quietly for three years to lure Titan America LLC to Castle Hayne. When the news finally broke in April, county officials said the new cement plant would create jobs and send a positive ripple through the regional economy. But a growing number of concerned residents say the environmental price is too high. And they are preparing for a fight.” Read full coverage of this issue.

It is absolutely terrifying that our elected officials are more concerned with bringing 160 new jobs to New Hanover County - which, according to Titan’s hypothetical computer-based modeling algorithms, will somehow mushroom into another 720 jobs - rather than considering their constituents’ thoughts. Moreover, jeopardizing the health of many living beings, including us homo sapiens sapiens, simply for PURPORTED ECONOMIC GAIN.

I found it very interesting when UNCW professor Dr. Craig Galbraith disputed the economic model suggested by Titan officials last night, explaining that the specific calculations were likely to overestimate the positive economic impact. Furthermore, he stated that the proposed Titan plant may actually have an adverse affect for the region’s economy. Where is the sense Titan? What propaganda are our elected county officials reading?

The “concerned” board of county commissioners did have some questions for two of the three Titan officials that were present at the meeting - the third individual, a UNCG professor, did not speak due to time constraints. Only Commissioner Nancy Pritchett, who did not lure Titan USA to New Hanover County, was bold enough to ask the important questions about the environmental impacts of the plant, beyond general questions asked by the other commissioners, which some in attendance believed to be conveniently difficult to answer. I am saddened that Commissioner Pritchett will not be on the board after this term. What will we do if no one stands up to further environmental issues in the Wilmington region?

I find it wonderful that among the Titan representatives speaking at last night’s meeting, none of them were able to clearly, and concisely discuss the environmental impact of the proposed plant. The Titan cement plant manager for their Roanoke, VA plant was repeatedly asked by Commissioner Ted Davis if he knew about any harmful health effects due to mercury emissions from cement plants. He started to sound like a broken record, twice repeating, “I cannot answer that sir. I am not a toxicologist.” After a brief moment of unease in the court house, Marino Papazoglou, the director of business development for Titan America, stepped in to answer the question. Being the ringleader of the Titan pack last night, clearly his minions would not make any autonomous move without the intricate twirling of their marionet strings, Mr. Papazoglou indicated that mercury would be released; however, he did not know believe there to be any harmful effects that could occur at the levels emitted by Titan cement plants.

Local pediatrician Dr. Ed Horger, who spoke in opposition to the plant, seemed to think otherwise, especially concerning the health of young children, infants, and developing fetuses. He explained that rates of autism are related to the introduction of known neurotoxins, such as mercury. Further citing evidence of the deleterious effects of mercury consumption in adolescents living in the Faroe Islands, south of Iceland. Apparently, the population ate a staple food, fish, that was contaminated with mercury. Since then, scientists have been studying the numerous, irreversible damage to brain functions in children whose mother’s consumed mercury-laden seafood. I implore you, please help us stop the Titan Cement plant from being built in New Hanover County.

The Titan spokesmen did a great job with their spin, but I am still a little confused. They were explaining that only 6 to 7 pounds of mercury would be emitted into the air each year by this plant. However, Star News reported today that

“According to Titan’s air quality permit application, the plant could emit as much as 262 pounds of mercury each year. [And] Only seven facilities in the state emitted more more mercury than [that amount] in 2006”.

So what am I missing here? Apparently some 250 PLUS POUNDS OF MERCURY EMISSIONS.

Have we not learned anything of the way companies do business these days? Profits first, environment second, or actually, at the VERY BOTTOM OF THE LIST. So let’s say number 262 in Titan’s case.

I, as well as many others, left last night’s meeting with a sense of dismay. Why are our public officials failing us? Why are they catering to huge billion dollar company?

As one concerned Wilmington resident retorted, why don’t we let the giant corporations let the free market rule? Why not put our taxpayers’ money toward social issues, improving our community? Well concerned resident, that is precisely the question we all need to be asking.

On a positive note, we came together last night and, with thunderous applause as well as some booing at times, WE CAME TOGETHER. This is democracy in action. And now it’s your turn....

Check out the STOP TITAN article

Check out the STAR NEWS articles

Please let New Hanover County know that you are concerned about this issue

Sunday, June 8th Fundraiser @ Katy’s

Thursday, June 12th Meeting w/Army Corps of Engineers

Visit the STOP TITAN website for more information.

Our children need us, and so does our environment.

David