Neighbors of Casmalia

The recent article (Part I, June 19) on the town of Casmalia and its fight with the toxic dump was disturbing. Not just because of the subject but because of the attitudes expressed regarding this serious situation. It is absolutely outrageous in this day and age, with all the documented health problems related to toxic exposure, and with documentation by 72 local physicians, to have someone make the comment that, “I think what’s going on . . . is a lot of toxic superstition . . . People have become superstitious about Casmalia Resources and alleging it has caused a lot of problems . . . .” What makes the comment frightening is that it was made, not by the owner of the dump or even by some low-level bureaucrat, but by the head of the state’s health agency, Dr. Kenneth Kizer, the person charged with protecting all of us from these toxic facilities.

That comment should send a clear message to all of the communities where the Department of Health Services, based on its review and assurances, is proposing to site new toxic facilities. The department is not taking people’s concerns seriously and certainly won’t step in when those concerns become reality. That statement should convince anyone that their community should not allow such facilities until the Department demonstrates that its priority is to protect people.

As neighbors of another toxic dump, the Stringfellow Acid Pits, we, too, had gone through the process of having to prove damage prior to receiving assistance. But that was 10 years ago. We had hoped times had changed, that the agency would have learned from its past mistakes. Apparently not, for the people of Casmalia are now being asked to provide a “body count” before receiving help from the regulating agency.

PENNY J. NEWMAN

Concerned Neighbors in Action

Glen Avon