Cleon Turner happened to be present when we stopped by to say hello to legislative aide Elysse Magnotto and patiently listened to Laura’s pitch on the risk synthetic chemicals pose to the environment. Several times during the meeting, Rep. Turner rubbed his fingers together to remind us to follow the money. He suggested the utility company might behave differently if the petitions signed by 2000+ Cape Codders had been deposited on the CEO’s desk, rather than delivered to Scott Soares at DAR, and urged Laura to find a way to “work” with N. I was impressed with his grasp of the situation.
Then down the hall we trotted.
From all the nodding, it was clear the two men have already done a lot of brainstorming on this issue.
“I’ve got three daughters,” Dan Wolf said and raised his hands, palms upward, as if the conclusion for any parent were obvious. “You don’t need to convince me.”
Rolbein told us he feels we are reaching a tipping point with regard to synthetic chemicals, loose in the environment. (Last week there was a Time Magazine blog post about the chemicals detected in the blood of pregnant women, which should make us all sit up and pay attention. Read in USA Today how the American Chemical Council still insists there is no reason for concern. For further links and information on the study, go here.)
Our conversation lasted an hour. State Senator Wolf zeroed in on the fact the utility company is not the only entity polluting our aquifer and said a Cape-wide effort is required.
Before our departure, Elysse Magnotto gave us a guided tour of the State House. The corridors are decorated with portraits of famous statesmen from the past, a very inspiring place to work, without a doubt. Elated by the day’s encounters, Laura and I headed home, our work cut out for us, with only three months to go before the spraying is to commence …
Do you worry about endocrine disruption from toxic chemicals in the environment or is the subject simply too overwhelming for you? Are you ready to give up herbicides, insecticides, pesticides, etc. and use alternatives? Do you already choose green options inside your home, making a statement with your wallet?
Bobbie, GC webmaster · 735 weeks ago
GreenCAPE and John Chatham of the Harwich Conservation Dept are sponsoring a workshop by Chip Osborne on March 5 at the Harwich Community Center, geared for homeowners, and the public is invited. Please help us spread the word.
I think it will be easier to stop 1 megacompany rather than thousands of homeowners, but at least we have the attention of the town governments about how serious the situation is. THANKS for all you have done and continue to do.
Living Large · 735 weeks ago
Bev · 735 weeks ago
I agree with the gentleman who says follow the money. We need to give the petition and signatures to the new head of the merger.
harriet · 734 weeks ago
What are we willing to sacrifice to take a stand?
chezsven 82p · 734 weeks ago
I run a green bed & breakfast in Wellfleet, on Cape Cod. Senator Kerry wrote me last Wednesday that he would communicate to you my concerns regarding NStar’s intent to spray up to five herbicides under power lines here. Apparently, a meeting was held that same day, attended by Cape Cod Commission members, representatives of Green Cape, Wellfleet Town Administrator Paul Sieloff, and six NStar officials, who made it clear that
NStar intends to move forward with the herbicidal spraying plan.
This is unacceptable. Traces of these toxic chemicals will end up in our drinking water. We know about body burden. Our Barnstable County has the highest rate of breast cancer in Massachusetts. The Silent Spring Institute has already found DDT in Cape Cod dust. We do not want more chemical contamination.
Your company plans to spray every six weeks until the plants start dying.
There are safer alternatives to the planned chemical applications.
I want you to know the absolute distress NStar’s decision has caused on Cape Cod and request that you cancel this ill-advised plan and order a return to a safer method of vegetative control, such as mowing.