HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0212.396 1996-1998 l~~ t,~~;~~, ~j~t~,
My name is Lou r~nn Gurney. I speak in opposition to the proposed ~ti~~
irradiation facility.
I work for the state as a public school teacher. This year I am on a
leave of absence writing child-en's books. My husband and I own a home
and two acres where we grow aid- organic papayas and other fret for
market. ~#1,w-~
I wish that we were all here today because we were united behind a
great idea. I wish that this great idea was environmentally sound and
based on the latest and most enlightened views on health.
Months ago when I first read in the Tribune Herald that Mayor
Yamashiro was proposing an irradiation facility, I thought, "Why would he
want to suggest something that will be so divisive?" I am saddened to see
our community divided when our goals are the same: peace, prosperity,
health, and happiness. I am confident that there is a way we can work in
harmony with nature and with each other to accomplish these goals.
We are being asked to spend our tax money in support of a technology
about which experts can't agree. Here in our public debate, experts accuse
each other of falsifying information, not knowing the facts, and not
telling the truth about the dangers and safety of this technology. We can't
be made powerless by the fact that the experts don't agree because we
each have our own life experience of radiation. I ask each person to think
about what your life experience has been. What do you already know about
radioactive materials and radiation? Is it positive? Is it harmless?
Does it make the general public feel safe?
I know what the answer is in my own life. I urge the council to slow
down here. Don't rush into this. ~k~. ~a.C.,~,.~,(. ,co, ac. ,oa-~u-d
There are many alternativesi~as to be considered. Let's use our
creativity and our intelligence not to argue with each other, not to try to
prove each other wrong. Instead, let's use our creativity and intelligence
to pursue a saner and safer way to deal with the fruit fly and improve the
island's economic status. Won't you lead us in a direction that unites us? _
Please take the time i~sn~y to find the ways irr-~w~3~ the island of
Hawaii can contribute to the world with pride.
~.1i.~J~
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ToP~S.~"?~ ~,W,.~1
MAY 2 0 1997