To the editor:
We the people of Berkshire County have rights. We have the right to breathe clean air and to drink clean water. Placing a known toxic waste PCB dump in our town of Lee, Massachusetts – gateway to the Berkshires – is a violation of our human rights.
We the people of Lee do not want a toxic waste dump in our town. We did not have a voice in this decision-making process – another one of our rights being violated. I am voicing my concern as a health care professional advocating for all our townspeople.
We deserve much better. This major decision that was made by General Electric, the Environmental Protection Agency, and our three select board members is in complete violation of our rights to a healthy environment.
This proposed dump will be located within three miles or less to five different schools: Montessori School, Lenox Memorial Middle and High School, Saint Mary’s School, Lee Elementary School and Lee Middle and High School. Look at Allendale Elementary School in Pittsfield … need I say more.
Is this fair to the students and staff at all of these schools to teach and learn while being exposed regularly to breathing in the air of a toxic waste dump? Is this a fair decision for the young, old and handicapped population who may not have a voice and cannot speak for themselves?
This dump decision is an unacceptable alternative to ridding GE of its cancer-causing toxic waste. This will no doubt have along-lasting negative impact on the health and wellness of our future generation who will be left with a huge mess on its hands. Please find another healthy alternative solution. Please do not dump this huge issue in our laps.
Anyone who would like to be part of our action group please join NO PCB Action Group. We already have 5,000 members. You may also contribute to our GoFundMe page on Facebook, No PCB in Lee, Massachusetts. You may also donate through Lee Bank on Park Street in Lee: NO PCB FUND.
We can make a difference. It takes a village.
Diane L. Carroll
Lee
