10/29 u-news
Comments From DD: I agree with KM but also right to each supervisor and ask them what happen to the public notice of apointing Stauton River District. I thought Mr. Snead was Chairperson not Mr. Harville and I think the nomination should be repealed (maybe not be the correct word but it was wrong!
Comments from KM: Appointment of Mr. Blackstock : The only public notice that the 10/22 BOS meeting would be continued occurred at the 10/22 BOS meeting.
It appears there was no email notification or notification in print or other media for the October 24th meeting.
The original plan was to interview interested candidates for the Staunton River District in 30 minute time slots.
The format was changed at the beginning of the 8:30 meeting.
The meeting reconvened at 9:45 with all candidates present.
Mr. Blackstock was nominated by Supervisor Harville http://www.timesdispatch.com/
It is of concern that Mr. Blackstock is favoring a regulatory framework be written. The R&B article states, "VUI wants uranium mining regulations written, thereby lifting the ban by default."
Mr. Blackstock appears to be seeking guidance and input on the issue.
Please DO contact him to let him know that you do favor a continued ban and oppose the writing of regulations.
If you are a resident of Virginia or North Carolina you will be affected by the lifting of the ban. Mr. Blackstock should hear from you as well as those in the Staunton River District and Pittsylvania County.
Also, The many organizations and municipalities who support the current ban on uranium mining should contact Mr. Blackstock. It will be helpful for him to hear from all since he is a new-comer to the BOS.
As you know, Virginia Uranium's PR firm created PEP Southside to mobilize for issues such as this and contacting legislators. I encourage you to contact Mr. Blackstock.
Elton W. Blackstock Staunton River District
3364 Glenland Road
Hurt, VA 24563
Phone: 434/770-8050
Email: elton.blackstock@pittgov.org
Comments from KM: Blackstock said he opposes uranium mining and milling until rules and regulations are written by the state and can be reviewed by residents. You cannot take a stand on something when there are no rules for it, Blackstock said.
Virginia Uranium Inc. seeks to mine and mill a 119-million-pound uranium ore deposit at Coles Hill, six miles northeast of Chatham. VUI wants uranium mining regulations written, thereby lifting the ban by default.
http://www.godanriver.com/
Posted: Monday, October 28, 2013 7:01 pm | Updated: 7:23 pm, Mon Oct 28, 2013. BY JOHN R. CRANEjcrane@registerbee.com(
Elton W. Blackstock, the new member of the Pittsylvania County Board of Supervisors, said he would rather hear from residents before determining whether Virginia should lift the moratorium on uranium mining and milling.
“I want to talk to the citizens in my community before I take a stand on the issue,” Blackstock, who represents the Staunton River District, said during an interview Monday.
Blackstock said he opposes uranium mining and milling until rules and regulations are written by the state and can be reviewed by residents. You cannot take a stand on something when there are no rules for it, Blackstock said.
Virginia Uranium Inc. seeks to mine and mill a 119-million-pound uranium ore deposit at Coles Hill, six miles northeast of Chatham. VUI wants uranium mining regulations written, thereby lifting the ban by default.
The board of supervisors appointed Blackstock last week to replace the late Marshall Ecker, who died Sept. 26, until a special election is held in November 2014.
Blackstock has attended events held by pro- and anti-mining interests to learn more about the issue, he said.
“I’m trying to educate myself,” Blackstock said.
However, there is very little a locality can do as to whether uranium mining and milling will be permitted or regulated, Blackstock said, pointing to a recent opinion from the Virginia attorney general’s office.
The office of Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli released an opinion Oct. 11 stating localities would have little regulatory power over uranium mining if the moratorium is lifted. Cuccinelli’s statement was a response to questions from Delegate Don Merricks, R-Pittsylvania County.
The board of supervisors, through their attorney, asked Merricks to seek an opinion from Cuccinelli on the matter. Merricks sent questions to the attorney general’s office in August 2012.
Supervisors passed a resolution in January urging legislators in the General Assembly to keep the state’s moratorium on uranium mining and milling.
Blackstock said he is more concerned with finding a replacement for County Administrator Dan Sleeper, who retired unexpectedly in early September than with uranium mining.
“I want to talk to the citizens in my community before I take a stand on the issue,” Blackstock, who represents the Staunton River District, said during an interview Monday.
Blackstock said he opposes uranium mining and milling until rules and regulations are written by the state and can be reviewed by residents. You cannot take a stand on something when there are no rules for it, Blackstock said.
Virginia Uranium Inc. seeks to mine and mill a 119-million-pound uranium ore deposit at Coles Hill, six miles northeast of Chatham. VUI wants uranium mining regulations written, thereby lifting the ban by default.
The board of supervisors appointed Blackstock last week to replace the late Marshall Ecker, who died Sept. 26, until a special election is held in November 2014.
Blackstock has attended events held by pro- and anti-mining interests to learn more about the issue, he said.
“I’m trying to educate myself,” Blackstock said.
However, there is very little a locality can do as to whether uranium mining and milling will be permitted or regulated, Blackstock said, pointing to a recent opinion from the Virginia attorney general’s office.
The office of Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli released an opinion Oct. 11 stating localities would have little regulatory power over uranium mining if the moratorium is lifted. Cuccinelli’s statement was a response to questions from Delegate Don Merricks, R-Pittsylvania County.
The board of supervisors, through their attorney, asked Merricks to seek an opinion from Cuccinelli on the matter. Merricks sent questions to the attorney general’s office in August 2012.
Supervisors passed a resolution in January urging legislators in the General Assembly to keep the state’s moratorium on uranium mining and milling.
Blackstock said he is more concerned with finding a replacement for County Administrator Dan Sleeper, who retired unexpectedly in early September than with uranium mining.
Crane reports for the Danville Register & Bee.
