"The
views expressed in these letters are not the opinion of CARES but are the opinions
of the sixth grade class at Mt. Marion Elementary School. CARES encourages and
supports the young people of our community in becoming aware of and vocal about
issues that affect their local community. CARES would like to remind all of our
supporters that our efforts are not to stop only a single mine proposed by Gilbert
Shott, but to protect the entirety of residential Saugerties from the disruptive
and degrading practices of mining. Thank you to Mr. Bloomer's sixth grade class
for a job well done."
Teacher
submits class work to CARES
June 11, 2002
Dear Sir or Madam:
Please
find enclosed a handful of persuasive essays written by my 6th grade students
on the topic of the proposed mine in Veteran. The class worked every other day
on this writing project for over two months, beginning with extensive newspaper
and internet research, moving towards outlining and organizing their arguments,
and then finally putting the pen to the paper! As such, the majority of the papers
you will read may be 3rd and 4th drafts that a tremendous amount of time and energy
have gone into producing. The students have come a long way in their understanding
of this local issue, and I hope that you will find this clearly reflected in their
writing.
Thank you very much for your time in considering the enclosed student
letters for publication!
Sincerely,
Mr. Sean Bloomer Grade 6 - Mt. Marion
Elementary
Hi, my name is Ray Mendock. I live in a peaceful town called Saugerties. In the past couple months a mining operator named Gilbert Shott of he Shott Rock Mining operation wants to mine bluestone not to far from my house. I am against the mine for a lot of reasons, so I will tell you why. One reason why I am against the mine is there will be a lot of pollution. The first kind of pollution is air pollution. If this mining project happens there will be 9-100 truck trips a day for about 28 years! Since all these trucks will be driving around Saugerties, smoke from the trucks will cause a lot of pollution. The other kind of pollution I am concerned about is noise pollution. While they're mining, they will be blasting for bluestone with dynamite and other type of loud machinery. The second reason why I'm concerned about the mine is there is a good chance that there will be accidents. The reason I say this is because 22 or more school buses go past Morse Road every day, and that's the place where they want to mine. So not only can accidents occur, but kids going to school could also be hurt. Another reason there could be accidents is the trucks will be driving on Route 212 which is one of Saugerties busiest roads. Morse Road is off of 212 and is very small so the trucks will block roads for people going to work or even school. My last big reason why I am against the mine is because it will damage peoples water supply. Since there will be so many trucks driving on Morse Road, there's a good chance that the water pipe under the road will break. These waterlines come from the Blue Mountain Reservoir and supply the majority of Saugerties' residents who have wells, and if the pipes break it will lower their water levels. The reasons that I just gave you are my biggest reasons why I am against the mine, so now you make your decision. It's near my house and may be near yours. Can it effect you in any way? Do you want loud noises at your house? I don't. Do you?
Hello, my name is Devyn Jacobson. I live in a town called Saugerties, where things are pretty quiet. I live on Morse Rd., which is pretty close to the mine where Gilbert Shott wants to mine Bluestone. My windows shook the last time they blasted in 2000. I want to stop Gilbert Shott from mining Bluestone behind my house. I am against the mine because I don't want Shott Rock Inc. Mining Bluestone behind my house. If the deal goes through for them to mine, they will decrease the wildlife population and destroy their homes as well. There are also concerns about wells and streams because they are digging about 80 ft into the ground. The operation will last about 28 years and there are going to be about 50-100 trucks a day, up and down. He says that he plans to make a lake and houses around it but, the power lines are about 50 ft away from the site. Plus there are too many cliffs and protected wetlands around the site for them to successfully make a development there. Another reason why I want to stop the mine is because there are about 22 buses that go past Morse Rd. each day, and I am on one of those buses! Plus some of my friends are on the others. This could result in traffic accidents and serious injuries and possibly deaths to the people or children. Morse Rd is not wide enough for even a car and a dump truck to pass by. My neighbor Bob O'Leary and his wife Jackie documented it with a video camera. I also don't want to be walking to and from the bus stop with big trucks going up and down the road. My last main reason to stop the mine is that there are so many concerns about the environment and people. These are my reasons. They say it's against zoning laws, (they want to build in R-2 zoning-"residential.") There are concerns about noise pollution from TNT, trucks, machinery, etc. The trucks may cause damage to the water mains that run under Morse Rd. Blue Mountain Reservoir to the town of Saugerties. There are concerns about people's wells because they're digging down 80 ft and it will affect the water table, which could make the water levels in our wells go down. There are traffic concerns about cars on 212 and children on Morse Rd, which would include me and my 2 neighbors. Concerns about wildlife because they're blowing up the animal's habitat and plowing down trees which they did from 1998-2000. There are concerns about the lowering of house and property value from all the commotion. Last of the reasons is that they are doing this around historical site. Like the "Old Veteran Post Office" and my friend's house that had to do with the under ground railroad. So now you have more information about the mine Gilbert Shott is going to run. I want to stop the mine!!!!!! I hope you do too. If you would like more information check out www.stopthemine.com
Hello! My name is Abhishek Ramaswami. I am 12 years old, and I attend Mt. Marion School. I live in a small town about 100 miles north of New York city called Saugerties. It's a pretty quiet town, not too much noise, it's a nice environment to live in. Recently, there have been discussions about a man named Gilbert Shott, who is trying to start a mine. There are many opinions about this subject. The majority of the town is against it, although there are a few supporting it. I am against the mine for a number of reasons, and in this essay, I hope to explain to you why. As most of you know, the mining will be taking place on Morse Rd., which is located off Rte. 212. My friend Devyn Jacobson lives about 2,500 ft. away from the mine. He claims to hear loud, crashing sounds, his windows shake and rattle as well. It must be very disturbing for not only him, but everyone who resides on Morse Rd., as well as all residents of Rt. 212. How would you feel if you were Devyn, and you woke to the sound of Dynamite? I've researched that 9-100 trucks will be traveling on Morse Rd. everyday for 28 years! Not only will all these trucks cause air and noise pollution, but it is also likely that accidents will occur. I've also researched that Morse Rd. does not have a sufficient width for all those trucks. Did I mention 22 school buses go past Morse Rd. everyday? All this chaos will be going on until 2030, and who knows what other changes will take place on Morse Rd. by then? How many of you get your water supply from wells? The majority of residents who live in the rural area of Saugerties do. As a part of Gilbert Shott's mining operation, he requires that a well will be involved. The water in these wells will flow through the mining pit. Since there will be 9-100 trucks traveling on Morse Rd. everyday, it is likely that they will damage pipes leading to Blue Mountain Reservoir. They will dig 80 ft. in the ground as well. How would you feel if you opened up your facet(sic) and no water came out? Or whatever did come out was contaminated. The worst part is that we're already in a drought and water is scarce. This mine isn't solving the problem, it's only making it worse! How many of you have houses, buildings, sheds, etc. made out of blue stone? Well, that's what Gilbert Shott wants to mine. Mainly of the fact that blue stone is very valuable, and he wants to sell it. Blue stone can be as expensive as $1,500 a pallet! If this is going to be going on for 28 years, blue stone will be as scarce as the water is now! Well as many of you can tell, the mine is quite fascinating, as well as a controversial subject. This essay was based on my own opinion, not to convince you to despise the mine. I wrote it simply for YOU to have a better idea of the mine. I surely hope you enjoyed reading my essay on the mine, and I know I didn't cover all the facts and details, but if you need more information, go to www.stopthemine.com, or look for up-coming articles in the newspaper. My opinion on this subject may be different from yours, but no matter what, just remember YOU can make a difference.
Have you ever woke up to the sounds of loud trucks and blasting? Many residents of Saugerties are right now. Hello, my name is Nick Fuga and I am 12 years old. Westchester developer Gilbert Shott has started to build a mine in our peaceful town of Saugerties, which is a couple of miles north of Kingston. I am against the Shott Rock Mining operation, and I have 3 reasons why. One reason why I am against the mine is the problems that the trucks will cause. About 9-100 trucks are going to be traveling back and forth every day. These trucks are going to be kicking up a lot of dust. The trucks are also going to make a lot of noise. Another bad thing about the trucks is that at least 22 school buses pass where the trucks will travel. Also the trucks may break the underground water pipes traveling from the Blue Mt. Reservoir to the village of Saugerties. These pipes travel under Morse Rd., and Town of Saugerties Highway Superintendent Alfonse Ferrara says that Morse Rd. is not of sufficient width and construction for the use of these trucks. Another reason why I am against the mine is the problems the mine itself will cause. For this mining operation, the workers will need to dig a pit in the ground. The water from people's wells may flow into this pit. That is especially bad since water is scarce now. Also the mine will destroy 110.8 acres of animal habitat and that is not fair to the animals. Also the blasting and mining will put a lot of dust into the air until 2030!!! My last reason why I am against the mine is the location. Many people say that this mine is against zoning laws and is too close to residents. How would you feel if you lived near the loud mine? Actually my friend lives on Morse Rd., which is very close to the mine. He says that sometimes his house shakes from the blasting from the mine and from the trucks. Also the mine is located near and old post office, an old stone house, and the Veteran Port Store. These are my strongest reasons why I am against the mine. You may not care about the mine if you don't live near it, but think about how the people who live next to the mine feel. I hope this letter helped give you a better idea about the mine. Now I'm leaving the decision to you.
HONKING,
CRASHING, SNEEZING, BEEPING, CHOKING, CRASHING, EXPLOSIONS
To Whom it May
Interest, Hi, my name is Claire Nicolato. I live in a very small town called Saugerties,
which is the place that Westchester County's Gilbert Shott has chosen to mine
for bluestone. I am against the mine or a few reasons. My first and strongest
reason why I oppose the mine has to do with my home. I live in an old, bluestone
house only around 2,000 feet away from the mining area. The explosions and extra
traffic pose a threat to old buildings which have been a part of Saugerties' history.
My second reason for being against the mine is because of water. Many people in
Saugerties, especially Veteran residents, use wells for their water supply. The
people at the mine will be digging down 80 feet which will cause the water level
to decrease. My third and the general reason for opposing the mine has to do with
this area just not being the place for a mine. Saugerties is a residential area
so it is against zoning laws to mine. There are also historic places here such
as the Old Veteran Post Office. This beautiful town is also made of 110.8 acres
of habitat. The noises from the 9-100 trucks going by, the blasting, and all the
machines will disturb many people. All the noises will also hurt many businesses
in the area because no one will want to shop in an area of noises and pollution.
Also the mining will be going on for 28 years, and that's just too long. As you
can surely see by now, none should even be thinking about mining in Saugerties
because this town was just not built for such a thing, and I doubt you will want
to wake up to rattling windows and explosions like some people have and will.
Well, now it's your turn. Make the right decision and say no to Gilbert Shott.
June 9, 2002 To Whom It May Concern: My name is Ashley Fischer and I am against the mine, even thought I don't live next to it. I live in Saugerties, New York. I found out that Gilbert Shott, the Shott Rock Mining Operation, was mining. When I found this out I said, "Oh, he's just mining, who cares." Then we learned more about it in class and I became interested in it. I will tell you why I am opposed to the mine. Well, one of my strongest reasons is that I have friends who live around the mine. One of my best friends, Claire, lives pretty close to it, so she might see the trucks going down the road everyday. There is noise that is disturbing to some people, and they will hear the noise everyday. Also, it will affect my friends from getting to school. There are 22 school buses passing Morse Road and there are between 9 to 100 mining trucks going down the road. Also, there are trucks, scales, stone crushers, loaders and blasting equipment (like dynamite) that will be making a lot of loud noises. The mine will be going on for about 28 years so my friends and other people will hear that noise and see those trucks for that long! My second strongest reason is that people use wells, right? Well, the mine has serious effects on the water. There will be a decrease in well-water levels. I'm worried about wells and streams because they will be digging down 80 feet in the ground. Also, the majority of those residents living in Veteran rely on well-water. My third strongest reason is where the mine is. There are historic places, such as my friend Claire's house, and the Veteran Post Office. I'm worried about wild life. There is 110.8 acres of habitat that the mine is on. So, that means that all these animals are getting their homes destroyed. Also, there are residential areas. One kid in my class, Devyn, lives next to the mine and can hear the noises. His windows shake and rattle. Those are my reasons why I am opposed to the mine. There are many more reasons. I hope you learned from my letter because now you can decide whether you are against or for the mine. Thank you. Yours truly, Ashley Fischer