Methane?

[Bank Ave. Resident]

Actually, there are no homes for sale in regards to the homes in immediate danger.  Furthermore, we would NEVER do to someone else what the city has done to us.  The only reason the two properties that were for sale were even listed was in direct response to the city (won't mention any specific names) and their attorney's advice; which was in direct correlation to our property damage.  We couldn't prove the damage to our property without listing them and getting documentation from banks that they would NOT loan on these properties, which we did.  In regards to your statement about leaving our properties if the EPA DID say what I said they said.  There is no denying the paperwork of our test results, not only from the EPA, but also with a rep from the CEC, which the company the city hired.  So this is not a he said she said.....this is fact and well documented...several times.  I would like to congratulate you on obviously being paid very well thru your service with the city.  Your statement in that you would leave immediately is intereseting.   Don't you think we have considered and looked into every way out of this hell?  Unless we forfeit our properties and declare bankruptcy there is no way out.  We, and I think I speak for most of us, cannot afford to pay our mortgages, utilities, and property taxes and then add rent and more utilities on top of that.....  Why should we have to damage more of our future than the city has already managed to do?  Finally, I would like to address your statement on the city didn't know.  They did know and the fact that our mayor addressed us in the ONLY communication the city has made to us by stating "We knew it would come to this, we may have to aquire the properties"  is enough for me and should shake the denial you are in just a tad....not to mention the documentation that shows this information was presented to them back in 2001!  But how would you know this? You are assuming....in the real world perception is not reality.  Again, I would welcome any questions and share any information on the facts you would like to know.  There are kids living here and families @ risk for blood & bone cancers  like leukemia, brain cancer, organ damage and failure, and the list goes on in relation to the chemcials the city has hidden.  How can you live with yourself with your statements and even trying to defend the city when you have no idea of the facts when lives are in danger.   But then again, if you are retired, probably 25 or 30 years with the city, why wouldn't you defend?  You were probably active in setting this stage and drinking their kool aid.


I will say one last time......I am happy to anwer any questions.  Please post.  I will talk live, let me know.  I think it is important everyone gets the true story and the facts.

[04service retiree]

 If I had one of these homes and the EPA DID come in and told me the levels were
at the point of evacuation point,I would be packing and out of there. But instead
there are some houses that have a forsale sign in front of them. My point, if you
know what you say you know, how can you sell this house to others that may
be at risk? This would be worse than the city. The city had no Ideal at the building
of these homes that this would come about.

[sickntired]

Whoa! I'm really sorry to hear that. Cancer? Under your houses? I will pray for your family.
The city hasn't shared anything with you? How long have you lived down there?
I hate so say it, but I always wanted to move down there because it's so nice. Not anymore! Sheesh!
 I do apologize if it sounded like I was spreading rumors or speculating.   I would be interested to know more about this, if you wouldn't mind, since it may be affecting my kids as well.
This is about the only half decent town left around here.......was. Good luck and God bless.

 

[Bank Ave. Resident]

Before all of you jump to conclusions and start making condescending comments about the people living this nightmare you should probably get all the facts about this situation.  Of course a dump can't be hidden, but I am sure a lot of parents whose kids have played soccer up in that park would be interested to know what has been hidden....since 2001!  The city has known that carcinogens ( cancer causing chemicals ) were leaking form their so called landfill back in 2001 when it was presented to them by the company they hired.  They NEVER shared this with any residents.  Now, besides the explosive levels of methane gas that the city has failed to clean up for the last 10 years, the EPA is testing the chemicals and air in our homes.  Our entire row of houses have hit the threshold of evacuation levels.  In other words, their chemicals have leaked onto our property and into our homes where our families breathe & absorb it all in.  The city has never communicated to us or expressed any concern what so ever about all the health violations they are expecting our families to live in.  Also,  you should do your homework on what it means that we didn't know the dump was under our houses.....The city "thinks" some of our homes may actually be built on top of their dump, but then again how would they really know?  In 1976, they were in violation with the board of health for not turning in the plat of the dump!  They have no clue where it ends.  This is just a tiny tidbit I wanted to put out there for all or you who think you know what is giong on and take the city's word that it is ok.  Furthermore, you are correct....we have never wanted to sell our homw before.  Why would we?  We bought beautiful homes in a great neighborhood in what we thought was a great city.  It is disturbing to think that we are being judged for wanting to move our families somewhere safe.  I welcome any questions or if you would like a tour of what is really giong on on Bank Ave. feel free to ask.  I would also welcome the chance to exchange houses with any of you.  That is how bad I want to get my kids out of here.   It is easy to judge when your families aren't breathing in Benzene and TCE every single day. 

[04service retiree]

The dump is realy where the park is, and the houses are sitting where the glue factory and
the farm was at.

[dalmation]

How can you hide a dump?  People have known for years there was a dump there.  They even knew they had monitoring devices on their property.  How in the world can you say the city hid something when you have a sensor?  And from what I understand, this is the second time one of those owners has owned one of the properties in question!!!!

Maybe he should sue himself?  LOL

[sickntired]

Well, from what I'm hearing, is it's not the fact that the dump was there before the houses. It's more of a concern that now the remnants of the dump is actually on those homeowners property and under their houses.  I am hearing this second hand, but word spreads like wildfire around St. Bernard......so who knows.

[04service retiree]

So True Dalmation, That is if the peolpe can prove that the city tried to hide
the fact a dump was there before the house. Don"t think that one is going
to fly. On top of the people owning for their homes, they all will be owning
a nice bill to the so call Lawers they hired. The Facts  are the Facts, they
all knew what was there befor their houses.

[dalmation]

If there ever was a good time to have to buy a house,  the values of those homes on bank street  have never been lower.  Not just because of the so-called environental problems, but the state of real estate in general.   A court would only award the current value of a house.  There is no way to determine what a house was worth in the past.  Beside, when houses were at their highest value those people had no interest in selling. 

If they think they're hitting the lottery by sueing the city, big mistake.  By the time their lawyers get their cut they'll be lucky to pay off their mortgages.

[sickntired]

I don't know. I took my kids to the pool this weekend, and some of the parents were talking, and apparently there is more going on than just methane up on that field, and under the resident's houses. I want to know know the truth before I subject my kids, or anybody else's kids to something that could be harming them. 
I think it was on Channel 9.

[04service retiree]

  The last time I hear the EPA has been out more than once, and found the reading
to be on the safe side, and have been watching the so call problem.

[dalmation]

what channel had the story?

[Valley Cat]

Lawyers are picky for the most. Some of them will not marry a girl unless her name is Sue!

Mike

[sickntired]

I just seen the news. It sounds pretty scary! I feel terrible for them. My kids play soccer on that field. I may have to rethink that.