Saturday, July 30, 2005

Quality of life and the air you breathe

It is said when you have your health you have everything. Loudon County tops Tennessee in cancer rates and respiratory diseases. Through my work I have visited the Trigen,Viskase and AE Staley plants. Are these plants worth the employment and taxes they provide to the local community? Don't the people that live in Loudon County deserve the same quality of life other Tennesseans have?

You do not have to be a chemist, doctor, or rocket scientist to see something is very wrong in Loudon County. I remind those that choose to live in West Knox County that the air you breath comes from the East.

Spend a few moments and look at this:

http://www2.state.tn.us/health/CEDS/PDFs/ha-e-loudon-pc.pdf

If you are wondering why this is important AE Staley makes ethanol for cars to use as fuel. Are you an ethanol supporter?

NEW UPDATE:

Loudon plant to get $75M infusion

From the Knoxville News Sentinel, "Tate & Lyle will invest $75 million to expand production capacity and install pollution controls at its Loudon plant in Blair's Bend Industrial Park, a company official and community activists announced Friday."

"In addition, the project will allow the plant to increase production of ethanol by 37 million gallons per year.
The installation of pollution controls is the result of a previously announced agreement between Tate & Lyle and a group of Loudon County environmental activists. The Loudon County citizens had challenged the Tennessee Air Pollution Control Board's approval of a construction permit needed by the joint venture."

PREVIOUS UPDATE:

A new study shows that more energy is used to create ethanol than is saved by its use as a fuel additive to cars. For the people of Loudon County and West Knox County this is a bitter pill. Dangerous fumes and foul smelling air for no good purpose.

http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=1894&e=1&u=/ap/20050718/ap_on_bi_ge/ethanol_study


# posted by Farragut_Republican : 10:38 PM
Comments:
So if we want to stop global warming by using ethanol in cars we get to have lung cancer? I think lung cancer will kill you faster than global warming.

Phil
# posted by Anonymous Anonymous : 2:36 PM, June 16, 2005
 
Congratulations on your "Best Blogs in TN win".
# posted by Anonymous Farragut Independent : 7:42 AM, July 25, 2005
 
Of course the sprawl of Farragut puts more people on the road for longer periods of time. We are our own worst enemy.
Willem
# posted by Anonymous Anonymous : 4:24 PM, July 25, 2005
 
The production and use of ethanol is not an air quality issue, and it never has been. It's about farm subsidies and corporate welfare. Big agri-business spends many millions of dollars influencing Congressional votes. Clean up that mess, and you'll clean up the air at the same time.
# posted by Blogger DaliWood : 6:46 PM, July 25, 2005
 
Of course the sprawl of Farragut puts more people on the road for longer periods of time. We are our own worst enemy.
Willem

How do you know that? What do you mean when you talk about sprawl? Most people that are obsessed with sprawl really mean they favor higher density, is that what your solution is? This is the most walkable suburban community in Knox County.

Farragut has probably the highest percentage of telecommuters and home offices in Knox County. Most people in Farragut commute to Oak Ridge, Cedar Bluff, or Pellissippi. Those are short commutes by national standards. The new urban building behind the Town Hall is next to groceries, restaurants, and even the library.

What do you recommend?

Bob
# posted by Anonymous Anonymous : 1:33 PM, July 26, 2005
 
Hi Bob,
Actually, I would recommend two things immediately:

1. Impact Fees: As more and more developments are allowed, this continued sprawl "taxes" the infrastructure. When an infrastructure exists, I don't have a problem with anyone developing land outside of it, but why should they not pay for the additional burden(s) of road-building, electrical substations, new schools, more sheriff's deputies, etc.

2. I would ask County Commission and the School Board NOT to build another west Knox County High School but rather rezone inward since our system has capacity.

So yes...I am advocating a denser population. A denser population simply costs less to service, creates a better & more involved community and results in a better environment.
Willem
# posted by Anonymous Anonymous : 2:43 PM, July 27, 2005
 
1. Impact Fees: As more and more developments are allowed, this continued sprawl "taxes" the infrastructure. When an infrastructure exists, I don't have a problem with anyone developing land outside of it, but why should they not pay for the additional burden(s) of road-building, electrical substations, new schools, more sheriff's deputies, etc.

2. I would ask County Commission and the School Board NOT to build another west Knox County High School but rather rezone inward since our system has capacity.


I agree completely with # 1 on impact fees. We should have had them ten years ago.

I disagree with # 2 on rezoning inwards for the new school. Logically it makes sense. I have considered it and even thought of it a long time ago. It might have stood a chance 15 years ago. Today Dr. Lindsey and the school board cannot be trusted with that task. It is a logistic political impossibility. There would be countless court cases much like with the sheriffs department and that idiot Herb Moncier.

I hate to see the waste. You may be surprised to know that there has been some rezoning inwards. In areas of West Hills that used to go to Bearden now go to West. The Orange Route is the kicker. If we could stop that stupidity your idea would have more of a chance.

As long as the developers own the government we will need that new school. I am open to any ideas to stop the explosive growth.

Bob
# posted by Anonymous Anonymous : 3:13 PM, July 27, 2005
 
Good points Bob.
Willem
# posted by Anonymous Anonymous : 3:59 PM, July 29, 2005
 
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