Comments: Keep the Ban, Thanks to the great Gang of Three for all your hard work!
Supervisors Hold Off on Approving Mining Resolution
Posted: Oct 01, 2012 11:06 PM EDT
By James Gherardi
Chatham, VA - At least for now, the Pittsylvania County Board of Supervisors will not be sending a resolution to Richmond, asking legislators to keep the state moratorium on uranium mining.
This decision comes following a heated board meeting, with almost two hours of public comment.
Supervisors voted four to two Monday, to move discussion of a resolution to a legislative committee meeting on October 16th.
The meeting proved to be perhaps one of the most contentious board meetings this year. More than 20 residents got up to voice their opinion on the resolution, which was drafted by supervisor Marshall Ecker.
Most were in favor; pleading the board to take a stand against mining. One woman compared the board to Judas, saying that they were selling out their constituents.
The resolution, urges the governor and state lawmakers to keep the moratorium on uranium mining.
Ecker gave a lengthy presentation of why his resolution was a necessary one, citing a slew of potential environmental and health hazards that studies have found to be associated with mining.
"We've got the east coast watching because there are other deposits on the east coast. If we allow it here, then it will open Pandora's box to go ahead and start mining in other areas of the country," he said.
Following the presentation by Ecker, the room erupted into a standing ovation
Still no decision made in Pittsylvania County on uranium mining
55 p.m. EDT, October 1, 2012
PITTSYLVANIA COUNTY, Va—
A historic board meeting in Pittsylvania County,
The Pittsylvania County Board of Supervisors were expected to pass a resolution in favor of keeping the 30 year ban on uranium mining.
Instead it turned out to be a battle between board members.
The agenda Monday night was clear, vote on a resolution on behalf of the county.
The Pittsylvania County Board of Supervisors were expected to pass a resolution in favor of keeping the 30 year ban on uranium mining.
Monday night the board debated for nearly 45 minutes on personal issues against certain board members that were raised in a presentation by board member Marshall Ecker.
Their final decision, not to make a move Monday night, but rather table it for discussion later this month.
The board room was full, mostly because Ecker urged the community to show up in support.
