Comment: Definition of tyranny: c.1368, "cruel or unjust use of power," from O.Fr. tyrannie = RIFA. Please read the comments of the bloggers at end of article. No to uranium mining or milling!
By TIM DAVIS/Star-Tribune Editor
Wednesday, February 10, 2010 8:56 AM EST
DANVILLE - The Danville-Pittsylvania County Regional Industrial Facilities Authority refused to consider a proposed ban on uranium mining and milling at the Berry Hill Road "mega" industrial park Monday.
The authority, which is composed of members of Danville City Council and the Pittsylvania County Board of Supervisors, owns the 4,000-acre industrial park.
Members of the authority include Westover District Supervisor Coy Harville and Chatham-Blairs District Supervisor Henry "Hank" Davis Jr. along with Danville Mayor Sherman Saunders and City Councilman David Luther.
Callands-Gretna District Supervisor Fred Ingram and City Councilman Fred Shanks III serve as alternates.
Davis, who appointed himself to the authority when he was elected chairman in January, made a motion Monday to adopt a resolution banning uranium mining and milling at the Berry Hill site.
The resolution, which just included the mega park, was proposed by Deborah Dix of Blairs, an outspoken opponent of uranium mining in the county.
Davis's motion didn't receive a second, however, and failed.
"I'm not surprised, just somewhat disappointed," he said.
Supervisors rejected a similar ban on a 4-3 vote last month.
Karen Maute of Danville, an advocate for the environment, first asked supervisors to protect the industrial park in November, urging the board to "dispel" rumors the authority may use the property for uranium mining and milling.
The county and city, acting through the regional authority, have spent about $13 million for land along Berry Hill Road, just west of Danville.
Officials plan to develop a state-certified "mega" industrial park, with both localities sharing expenses and revenue.
According to County Administrator Dan Sleeper, it may cost $220 million to develop the huge project.
Maute opposes uranium mining at Coles Hill near Chatham, and has repeatedly asked supervisors to tighten the county's zoning ordinance to block the proposed mine and mill.
In her proposed resolution, she pointed out some of the Berry Hill property had mineral leases with Marline Uranium Corp., which discovered the huge uranium deposit in the late 1970s.
In order to avoid the appearance that the county and city are entering into a "joint uranium mining venture," she said both localities should sign a resolution prohibiting uranium mining and milling.
Davis's proposed ban just covered the industrial park.
Staunton River District Supervisor Marshall Ecker joined with Davis and Ingram in voting in favor of the ban in January.
Banister District Supervisor William Pritchett, Dan River District Supervisor James Snead, Tunstall District Supervisor Tim Barber and Harville voted against the resolution.
Harville, who is chairman of the regional authority, said the county and city have no intention of mining uranium at Berry Hill.
"We bought it for a mega park. That's it - cut and dry," he said.
If that's true, countered Davis, then why not support a ban on uranium at the park?
"How could it hurt us?" he said. "If we don't intend to mine or mill uranium, then why not make it clear?"
tim.davis@chathamstartribune.com
434-432-2791
Comments:
IndependentAudit
wrote on Feb 10, 2010 3:18 PM:
" Since the RIFA is a PUBLIC body, operating under the Virginia laws, and they have received and spent large sums of taxpayer $, lets have an open, public inspection and audit of its books. With anything $-wise involving some people, they tend to lose their perspective as to right and wrong. They want secret, back-room meetings out of the eye of the public. Let the SUNSHINE in on all matters public or put these boys out of business. "
Deborah Dix
wrote on Feb 10, 2010 1:42 PM:
" Thanks Mr. Davis for presenting our resolution because at RIFA meetings the public are not allowed to speak.
RIFA has to be open to the public but we have no voice.
RIFA uses tax payers monies but we have no voice.
RIFA says they have the right under some 17th century VA laws keep the citizens from having a voice, does this remind you have anything.
RIFA is a tyranny form of government operating legally under the State of Virginia. "
Read more:
http://www.wpcva.com/articles/2010/02/11/chatham/news/news53.txt
