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Community Protests; Wants Asphalt Company To Move
TALENT, OR
A community is up in arms over a nearby asphalt company they claim is a danger to their health and the environment.
Roughly 50 Talent residents gathered at Lynn Newbry Park Saturday to voice their concerns about the impacts they say Mountain View Paving has had on the community.
"It doesn't seem prudent or responsible to allow any asphalt production near a proven area with flood potential," said protester Richard K.
Mountain View Paving has been at their current location for nearly 12 years but are reportedly not in compliance with county regulations.
Today the company's gates were locked.
But Kaylin Mcamany, the step-daughter of the owner attended the rally and spoke out to the crowd.
"I just remember [the owner] Paul being so excited about brining his asphalt plant here and expanding his business because this company means the world to him," said Mcamany.
But some protesters who live nearby say smells from the asphalt plant are making them sick.
Cheryl Padilla claims her doctor even suggested living near the plant is not good for her health.
"If we don't eliminate some of the things that we can eliminate the the Rogue Valley isn't all that clean," claims Padilla.
In addition, protesters say they're worried about toxins that could wash out of the asphalt plant and into Bear Creek, posing a risk to fish and wildlife.
Protesters insist they don't want the company to go out of business, but rather to move to a large commercial area.
But supporters of the plant say the costs associated with moving are just too high.
"I think it's just hogwash to try to get a ruling to have him move, which will put him out of business," said supporter Jay Miller.
(541) 779-5555
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125 South Fir Street
Medford, OR 97501
Comments (3)
I respect Mr. Millers opinion in support of the asphalt plant but I find it in error. The opposing community is not looking for a ruling to put Mr. Meyer out of business. They want Mr. Meyer to relocate his business out of the residential zone and into industrial zoning. When he moved his business to Talent to expand, he did not complete a permit with the county to operate and he has been (you and I can't get away with that), and to use his own words on the record, been "flying under the radar for 10 years". Now 12 years later he is trying to get a "non-conforming" permit because asphalt plants are not legal in residential zones. The code enforcement of the county show notes of out of compliance buildings, electrical and a septic tank (in the floodplain) dating back as far as 2006. Time to get right and get legal like everybody else has to.
He needs to be in compliance with county ordinances. What about a non permitted septic system..... how'd that happen????? Because it's clear he will sneak anything he can for only his profit !!!!
This article missed most of the valid concerns expressed by the residents who have to breathe near this plant. We can't use the bike path when the plant is running. Even 'way up the hill, in our homes, the fumes make us and our families ill. It is an illegal operation: their permit was only for a *portable* business. So let it be transported where people aren't made sick, and where our waters aren't polluted with every rainfall that washes through their pile of toxic waste.