The Bradford Board of County Commissioners met Monday, Dec. 5, 2016 and undertook as their first task the swearing in of two new commissioners and the re-instating of one. Chris Dougherty of District 3 and Frank Durrance of District 5 , and returning Commissioner Ross Chandler were sworn in by Clerk of the Court Ray Norman.
The second item was the election of Commissioner Danny Riddick as Chairman and Commissioner Ross Chandler as Vice Chairman. OSFR congratulates each in his new capacity and looks forward to working with all.
The proposed phosphate mine was brought up during public comments, first by Paul Still, who asked that the board not employ outside consultants to review the pending permit, rather that it be be denied.
That the board was considering out-of-county consultants to advise regarding the permit was not known to your historian when he spoke, regarding the recent Congressional directive to the EPA to impose greater restrictions on mining activities. The third speaker against the mine issue was Stasia Rudolph, who represented 700 members of Santa Fe Lake Dwellers, who oppose the mine.
Allies in the opposition to the mine Brenda Thornton and Kate Ellison were also present.
Comments by OSFR historian Jim Tatum.
-A river is like a life: once taken, it cannot be brought back-
There are much better ways to create jobs than by destroying a pristine environment. The mine will not create that many jobs, and most of them will go to people who already have jobs with Pritchett or Hazen.
I know jobs are important, but ensuring water quality is imperative, not just for this generation, but subsequent ones. Please do not allow the phosphate mine.