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CUFA and other Environmental Justice organizations have not forgotten about the Environmental Justice Ordinance! Below is a letter sent to City Council members in support of the EJ Ordinance on behalf of CUFA and environmental organizations across the city. Let your city council people know that you support environmental justice and the EJ Ordinance!
February 9, 2011
City Hall
801 Plum St.
Cincinnati, OH 45202-1979
We wish to express our sadness for the loss of former councilmember,
David Crowley, an ardent supporter of the Environmental Justice
Ordinance. We deeply appreciate his efforts that finally moved the
Ordinance to passage in the City after several years, and are
regretful that it has not been implemented.
Reordination of the ordinance is unacceptable. Proposed changes will
severely undermine the original ordinance such that it will eliminate
the majority of its purpose. Public notice would only go to people
within a scant one-quarter mile, and only after the permit has already
been issued.
We urge the City of Cincinnati to continue exploring funding options
in light of the Ordinance’s minimal cost at $60,000, as has been
recently estimated by Larry Falkin, Office of Environmental Quality.
The Environmental Justice Ordinance is a necessity in the City’s
development of strategies that protect public health and the
environment. Cincinnati still suffers from dangerously elevated levels
of particulate matter and ozone that will only worsen with climate
change. Cumulative effects of exposure mean that citizens -especially
those with the least means- are at a higher risk for cancer and
non-cancer illnesses.
Please reconsider the far-reaching positive impact the Ordinance can
have in Cincinnati. We urge your strong support for funding this
important work and continued efforts toward improving our environment,
public health and quality of life.
Sincerely,
Marvin Kraus, Chair
ECO: Environmental Community Organization
Melissa English, Campaign Director
Ohio Citizen Action
Brad Mank, Chair
Environmental Advisory Council
Don Sherman, Executive Director
Cincinnati Interfaith Workers Center
Melissa Currence, President
The League of Women Voters of the Cincinnati Area
Marilyn Evans, Executive Director
CUFA, Communities United for Action
Marilyn Wall, Chair
Sierra Club, Miami Group
Board of Directors
Ohio Alliance for People and Environment
(formerly Ohioans for Health, Environment and Justice)
