After more than a year of waiting to see what Vulcan would do, they have
now submitted to Jackson County for a Special Use Permit for a quarry
between Highway 441 and Chandler Bridge Rd. They have contacted
immediate neighbors, promising a raft of benefits for citizens and the
county. And while they allege that they can mitigate the threats to our
water, air, traffic, noise, property values, and our quality of life; we
know that is impossible to do. The map included in their package shows
79 acres of mining area that would be operated over many decades and 14 acres dedicated to a “future plant area” – concrete and asphalt
plants, based on their previous comments. These industrial operations
should never be located in a beautiful agricultural and residential
area. Additionally, based on the public records showing 100’s of
environmental, safety and employment violations in other Vulcan
locations, the bottom line is that Vulcan is not to be trusted.
We are waiting to get copies of the actual filings, but in the meantime
we need to make our voices heard even louder than before.
- – First spread this information to friends and neighbors who are not
engaged and get them on board. - – Write to the members of the Planning Commission and Board of
Commissioners (e-mail addresses for all are listed below), expressing
your strong opposition, stating why you oppose this application for the
quarry. It can be as simple or elaborate as you are comfortable
writing. - – Attend the final two meetings for the Jackson County Comprehensive
Plan. Express your opposition to the quarry in particular and in general
support the current land plan that emphasizes agricultural and rural
uses; urge that no Special Use Industrial permits be allowed in such
areas and that projects such as mining and manufacturing plants be
confined to areas zoned industrial. Talk directly to any commissioners
who might be in attendance. The two remaining meetings are: - – 9/10 at 65 City Square in Hoschton from 5:30 -7
-10/15 at the Commerce Cultural Center, also from 5:30 to 7 - – Vulcan is holding a “Neighbor Information Open House” on September
23. We will get you more information, but if hundreds of us agreed to
show up at the same time to express our opposition, it might have some
impact. - – Attend the Planning Commission meeting that is tentatively scheduled
for October 24. If you have a yellow and red Stop the Quarry t-shirt,
please wear it. - – Attend the Board of Commissioners meeting – this would tentatively be
in November.
Remember that Vulcan has very deep pockets as well as high-powered
lawyers and PR people. We have some strong experts and advocates, but
our best weapon is all of us. We have heard repeatedly from
commissioners that the 1000’s of e-mails that they have received from
citizens have convinced them to oppose the quarry. That said, we can’t
simply count on past expressions of support from the commission when
Vulcan is offering the county a lot of money and benefits in order to
get a permit approved. Your voice is necessary! Thanks in advance for
reaching out now that it really matters
