Industry can not be allowed to impact our health
Dear Editor:
We cannot allow industry on any level to affect the health of our communities. Industry, be it hen houses in residential neighborhoods or oil and gas or coal production, belongs in areas specifically designated for industry and not affecting our existing communities by polluting our air, water and food.
It's like fouling our own nests concerning our health. Cancer rates are at an all time high, not to mention other disease and respiratory ailments, and it's about time for real dialogue about why that is.
The North Fork Valley is a leader in Colorado in small, organic agriculture that supports the overall health and attractiveness of our communities. We have a 20-acre apple and 10-acre peach organic orchard. The North Fork Valley can be a leader as well by modeling intelligent development when it comes to industry.
No one has the right to ruin their community or neighbors' health, quality of life or property values for economic gain. The law supporting this needs to be changed both locally and nationally.
The Hostetlers' hen houses are allegedly making neighbors sick with toxic air. What bothers me most is that the Hostetlers don't seem to care what their neighbors think. I understand that we all need to make a living but not at the expense of our health and in already existing neighborhoods.
On a larger scale, some oil and gas or coal companies have little or no regard for the health and values of the existing communities. Not to say that they also haven't done some good things. We already have big air and water problems and we must plan carefully to not have more.
We must place industry where it cannot harm us and our resources today and in the future.
Patricia Lewis
Hotchkiss