I live in the Cedar 49 neighborhood, along with other veterans, teachers, firefighters, small-business owners, parents, and grandparents. I served my country for over 20 years, sacrificing time with my family, but knowing that I would have a good community where I could retire. But then the Clark County Council voted unanimously to change the zoning of 7511 N.E. 101st St. from light industrial to railroad industrial, and now my neighborhood, community, environment, home and family are at risk.
Knife River wants to build a concrete batch plant with a 90-foot silo to crush concrete. This will release silica into the air and it can travel up to five miles from the batch plant. The silica can enter our lungs and the lungs of all living things. Because of health concerns, my family will have to move away from our home if this concrete plant is built.
It doesn’t seem right that I survived 175 combat sorties in multiple conflicts and wars to be exposed to silica dust in my own home. It doesn’t seem right that the Clark County Council were not looking out for my well-being while I was sacrificing for theirs.
