Their hands are tied
The topic of Gregg Industries came up at the El Monte council meeting on Tuesday, the same day that the AQMD started its hearing of the plant.
Joseph Blackburn submitted a letter to City Council members, informing them of the constant "denial" by Gregg Industries' management that the faciltity produces foul odor.
According to Gregg Industries' Web site:
In March 2007, the South Coast Air Quality Management Board's hearing panel granted Gregg Industries a permit to continue operating while continuing to reduce odors. We wish to thank you for your patience as we have worked with AQMD and our neighbors to detect and reduce odors.
Our pledge is to keep you informed about our activities and no topic is too big or small in this effort. We were recently asked by a resident about chemicals used at Gregg, including mistaken claims by some that we use chemicals called Furan and Dioxin.
On Tuesday, staff members acknowledged that there is nothing they can do about Gregg Industries, since it falls under the responsiblity of AQMD. And there also seems to be some doubt that these residents are indeed smelling what they claim.
After Blackburn's testimony, in which he told council members that the smell is "just wretchingly awful...and the company is in delusional denial," Councilman Art Barrios said that he went out there around 10 a.m. and didn't smell a thing.
That's because the smells come out at night, Blackburn said.
But i thought only the freaks come out at night? :/
This website gives some important added perspective on this ASTROTURF public relations campaign waged by Gregg.
This what AQMD had to say: http://www.aqmd.gov/news1/2008/greggindustries.html
Anonymous,
Thanks for the helpful link.
the toxicair website points out who is on the otherside of this issue, and anyone that disagrees or asks questions is quickly accused of working for Gregg. Exactly "who" is toxicair? They have neglected to identify themselves.
I am a resident of El Monte. I don't work for Gregg. I don't have family that works for Gregg. I don't live near the Gregg foundry, nor would I have ever considered moving close to a factory.
ToxicAir is run by several people in the community who have spent hours researching and putting this case together. We are not doing this for the hearing board, we are doing this in hopes of getting all our facts straight before this case goes before a judge.
In all honstly, I don't believe everyone protecting Gregg works for the company or is even a PR person for the company. Gregg Industries has lied to so many people within the community and their PR team does so much damage control that I can SEE why people would believe them over us.
We try and focus on Facts!
If this company honestly had nothing to hide, why would they hire a PR team and hold random meetings about odors at the foundry??
We are not looking for people to all jump on our side, we are simply putting out a website to state facts. You are welcome to your own opinion.
Here's a link from 2006 where Gregg was asked to eliminate odors.
http://www.aqmd.gov/news1/2006/greggindustriespr.html
To "A Resident" for someone who claims not to have any connection to Gregg; claims not to live close to Gregg you seem strangley impassioned by this issue. If you are truly as disinterested as you say, why would you be so vehemetly concerned about what goes on over at Hickson....unless....No couldn't be.
Here's a question Gregg and Mujeres has yet to answer why is Gregg's paid PR rep Adan Ortega also serving as an "Advisor" for Mujeres. Could Mujeres have a conflict of interest on this issue? Could Mujeres objectivity and purported impartiality on this issue simply be a farce. Here is Adan Ortega's Rose & Kindel webpage link http://www.rosekindel.com/keypersonnel.shtml . Now here is the link to Mujeres de La Tierra http://www.mujeresdelatierra.org/contact_us ...anyone's name look familiar.
BEWARE OF CORPORATE "ARTIFICIAL GRASS" PUBLIC RELATIONS CAMPAIGNS DISGUISED AS "GRASSROOTS" CAMPAIGNS. Gregg Industries which is a subsidary of an out-of-state corporate giant (NEI) should CLEAN UP THEIR ACT rather that ACT like their clean. I hope the city council doesn't get duped by Gregg's high-pressure PR tactics.
Truth Squad is right! Gregg's PR team has written letters and they contact the City Council members and school officials.
I don't see how Mujeres can be considered an ENVIRONMENTAL non-profit organization.
Even if us residents were crazy, the AQMD itself is saying Gregg is still a problem. How can an 'activist' take the foundry's side?
It seems like their PR tactics are trying everything they can to make us look bad.
Councilmember Art Barrios does not live in our neighborhood. He claims to have visited around 10 pm at night and did not smell anything bad in the air that evening. Since when is he a AQMD expert. Some toxic fumes do not have an particular smell. Mr. Barrios. Just because you can't smell anything doesn't mean a dame thing. We who live in this area are afraid for our safety and well being. You do not live here 24/7. Where the heck do you get off telling us that there is no problem. I am sure that if this business was in your neck of the woods that you would vote against it, just like the other idiots on the city council. Smell the roses for a change and do right by the people who put you in office, in the first place. Don't forget that you serve us. Not yourself nor your own agenda. Do your homework. Maybe you will sound credible for a change.
there go the el monte amigos and their rubber stamping ways. stamping for gregg industries no questions asked like peas in a pod. the peole will remember this next chance they get. we don't want to breath all that stinking air thats belching out of a factory. we get enough bad smelling hot air as it is from the same usual suspects all sitting in row. clean up your act amigos or say adios
Keep up the good work Joe Blackburn