Port St. Joe “sold out” by city leaders

Dear Editor:

My wife and I knew nothing about a biomass project planned for Port St. Joe until late August when we received a mailing from the Gulf Citizens for Clean Renewable Energy. At that point, we got involved with this concerned group, and tried to alert the citizens of Port St. Joe of the dangers of an incinerator such as this. We were astounded to learn from many of these citizens that they knew nothing of a biomass incinerator either. We thought we could simply put out signs telling them of the dangers of pollution from an incinerator, but in addition, we had to educate them on what it was and that it was being planned for our city, because of the lack of city-wide notification or town hall meetings.

A few days later, on Aug. 30, the Planning and Development Review Board (PDRB) members “sold out” the city of Port St. Joe by approving the development order for the biomass energy incinerator and sending it for a final decision to the City Commission. There would have been more people at the PDRB public hearing but it was held at 4 p.m. ET when most working people could not attend. It seemed these city leader did not want many people there that could speak out against the biomass incinerator.

The city commissioners tried to fast-track the biomass issue by having it on their agenda for Sept. 6, a week after the PDRB vote so as to not give the opposition time to get the word out. But, that was delayed until Oct. 4. Again, on that date, the city commissioners “sold out” their own citizens by voting at this public hearing to approve the development order sent from the PDRB. At this particular meeting, due to organized efforts of many concerned individuals and groups, the majority that attended the meeting were opposed to and spoke up against this “dirty polluting” incinerator.

The city commissioners and the PDRB should be ashamed of themselves for already having made up their minds to approve this project, trying to ram it down the throats of the citizens, and pretending to listen to their opinions. This was very evident at the PDRB meeting, where they passed out copies of their “Findings”, stating under No. 8, “The PDRB has all of its positions filled and had a quorum present at the Aug. 30, 2011 meeting”, and along with their “Recommended Order” stating “Based on the findings set forth above, which are incorporated herein by reference, it is the vote of the PDRB that the Application be approved for submittal to the City Commission with a recommendation that the City Commission approve the project.” How did they know this before it even happened? This will be remembered at the next election … Count on it. We want honest representatives, and who will listen to majority opinions of the citizens.

There have been those who are congratulating the city leaders on a job well done. I’m glad they are more savvy on poisonous toxins that The American Lung Association and The American Lung Association of Florida who oppose these types of incinerators. In a few short years, when you have a certain type of cancer from dioxins or other toxic chemicals, or have a tough time breathing, or no more edible seafood, or no more tourists wanting to come here, you will think back on this and remember how your city leaders sold you out. But it will be too late.

Dave Dorris

Port St. Joe