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Eddyville mine is banned By Paul Kirby , Freeman staff 07/20/2004 LAKE KATRINE - Applause broke out at Ulster Town Hall Monday night after the Town Board voted unanimously to outlaw mining in residential areas, including a spot where such an operation is being proposed. The all-Republican Town Board voted in favor of a zoning amendment that was developed after an all-out campaign by neighbors of the Fly Mountain mining proposal was launched to oppose the Eddyville Corporation's plan for a mine there. Town Board members voted 5-0 for the amendment. Later, Councilman Crag Artist said he supported the amendment because "it was the right thing to do for the entire town. "I have been on this Town Board for seven months and this was the easiest decision I have had to make in seven months," Artist said. Councilwoman Barbara Wise said she voted in favor of the amendment because, in part, that is what residents wanted. "After having listen to my constituents and having discussions with the owners of the Eddyville Corporation as to what they may be doing in the future, I felt that it was best for everyone that we pass the zoning amendment," Wise said. The councilwoman referred to the company's pitch last week that they are examining the possibility of building housing at the site. Councilman Joel Brink said that "people spoke and I voted my conscience." Eddyville resident Judith Hansen, who is Kingston's water superintendent, told the Town Board her neighborhood appreciated the decision. "I think everybody in this room knows that when constituents speak elected officials don't always listen," Hansen said. "I think that we are all proud of the fact that in the town of Ulster that is not the case. When we spoke, you listened." Opposition group leader Hans Funccius agreed. "I think we are all very happy about it," said Funccius, who is an organizer of Stop the Eddyville Mine, an opposition group. "The situation here is that when the people lead, the leaders will follow." Funccius added the Town Board needs to be "very careful" when dealing with the Eddyville Corporation in the future. "I think that this (the unanimous vote) sends a real strong message to every other community in the county that might be faced with this kind of problem," Funccius said. Eddyville resident Paul Gemma, another anti-mine group member, said he was pleased the Town Board acted they way they did. "I am very pleased with the town, especially how quickly they acted," Gemma said. İDaily Freeman 2004
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