Information in the blog concerning this issue has been collected over some time and as the designated Spokesperson for the approximately 200 residents that will be most immediately affected, I feel compelled to make this information available in a public venue that is not delayed and directed by traditional media. In most cases, the concerns expressed in these blog posts related to this issue are reflected by those residents of North Buckhannon (N.B.). I invite all responses as public argument and engagement is the hub of our great democracy.
To begin, it would be most appropriate to provide a summary (timeline) of what is going on and why 80% of the population has signed anti-silo petitions, voiced opposition in public venues and/or have contacted government voicing great concern. This is not a complete timeline as of this posting...updates will be made as more information becomes available.
- May 1, 2008: City of Buckhannon city council agreed to grant access across Harrison Avenue (a paper street) so that a railroad spur could be constructed onto property leased by David Rexroad to Weatherford International. The purpose for the use of this land at the time, was, according to some members of the council including Keith Queen, Jerry Henderson and Nancy Shobe, unknown. Access was granted.
- The week of May 19: An anonymous carrier attached flyers to the doors of the residents of N.B. announcing that a "Special Meeting" would take place so that the City of Buckhannon, The Upshur County Development Authority, the architectural firm Van Nostrand Architects and the energy corporation Weatherford International could present its intent to build proppant containing silos on property which runs directly parallel to the residents of this area of the city (view copy of flyer). No considerate effort to notify the residents was given by any of the presenters, a travesty given the importance of the issue and the effects that would be sustained by city residents.
- May 29: A special meeting in N.B. (a taped copy can be obtained from public access Channel 3 in Buckhannon) was held in which a presentation was begun by members of the above-mentioned entities. Rick Smith represented the interests of Weatherford International. The meeting quickly raised fears from those in attendance as plans were revealed to erect four 80-foot proppant (silica sand) silos, build a railroad spur that would enable the delivery of the proppant from outside the state (Minnesota) and operate as many as forty 30-40 ton trucks (on residential roads) between the hours of 5 p.m - 8 p.m. This information was in great contrast to that which was requested in a letter to the City, a letter that council based its decision on to grant access across Harrison Ave. The letter noted four forty-foot silos and ten trucks (copy of letter can be viewed here). The meeting ended with the residents furious that they had not been told of such intents, a feeling that information was being hidden from them.
- Beginning the week of June 2: A petition began to circulate through the community (a copy of the petition can be viewed here).
- June 5: During the city council meeting, it was agreed that the decision to allow access to Weatherford International to cross Harrison Avenue would be tabled based on the inaccurate, conflicting information submitted to the city in its application for access.
- June 10: Election for new city council takes place. A new major is elected, Kenny Davidson, emptying one council seat (which he previously occupied). All other council members remained the same.
- June 19: First submission of petitions made to city council meeting. No action was taken on them. I was selected as the Spokesperson for the Coalition Against the Construction of the Weatherford Silos in N.B. I presented to the council the concerns of the citizens as referenced in the petition.
- July 1: New mayor and five council members (minus the vacant spot) take office leaving and even number of voting members
- July 3: Council agrees to open the decision for council seat to letters of interest to be submitted by July 18.
- July 9: A special meeting with the following participants is conducted: Pete Galarneau, Dave Thomas, Kenny Davidson, Steve Foster, Skeeter Queen, Dave Rexroad, and Rick Smith. This was a closed meeting in which, in sum, it was agreed that a Special Meeting would take place on July 21 with the people of Buckhannon to further discuss the issues, since the meeting of May 29 came as a complete surprise. Also, it was agreed that on July 24, a special council meeting would be conducted for the purpose of voting for the access that Weatherford requested to use the silo property. Of particular importance in this meeting was an agreement that communication about future meetings and discussions concerning the silo issues would be promptly made to the residents of N.B. and the community as a whole. It was agreed that the announcement of the July 21 special meeting would be immediate. Galarneau made the following recommendations to those in the meeting (copy of recommendations available here)
- July 16: The first oppositional Letters to the Editor appear in the Record-Delta (copy available here )
- July 17: Official notice by the city of the special meeting of July 21 is, finally, made during the city council meeting. Prompt release of information in a manner that is evident and compassionate is still not a priority.
- July 21: On the morning of the day that the special meeting is to be held, after the Coalition had done an exhausting, magnificent job of notifying concerned citizens (a duty that should have been the concentration of the city) about the meeting, Weatherford representative Rick Smith cancels the meeting. Several people wait outside the special meeting place (16 Thurman Avenue) because they, apparently, were not informed of its cancellation. Residents said that these people included Senator Bill Hamilton and city attorney Dave McCauley.
- July 23: Notice is made in the Record-Delta that no vote will take place in a special city council meeting originally scheduled for July 24.
- July 23: More oppositional Letters to the Editor appear in the Record-Delta (letter 1 / letter 2) including my own as the Spokesperson for the people. In the letter, I reference the meeting of July 9 (copy available here) (letter 3)
- July 24: Meeting to vote on access is cancelled.
- July 28: No new meetings with the community have been scheduled.
- more timeline to come...
This is only a brief timeline summary and I will expand upon these items as time and information allows. For now, please know that I will make every effort to keep the community updated from the perspective of those concerned about the industrialization of North Buckhannon.
This blog, too, will serve as testimony and case study for other communities facing similar problems.
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