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| Q&A with Mayor Laurene Weste about CEMEX |
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| Written by Stephen K. Peeples | |
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The topic for this exclusive Sept. 27, 2006 Q&A with then-City of Santa Clarita
Mayor Laurene Weste was the City's effort to stop the potentially
disastrous CEMEX mega-mining project proposed for nearby Soledad
Canyon, and how citizens can help. First published Sept. 30, 2006 by My Santa Clarita, the Mayor's exchange with then-Editor Stephen K. Peeples, also a member of the Santa Clarita Valley Disaster Coalition's Board, took place a day before news broke that CEMEX had dropped its lawsuit against the City's effort to annex the property that includes the proposed new mining site, in exchange for the City agreeing to complete new Environmental Impact Report. "Some in our community believe that this signals the end of the CEMEX battle, but unfortunately, this is not the case," said Gail Ortiz, the City's Public Information Officer. For more info about the CEMEX project, why it's a disaster in the making for the SCV, plus email links and sample messages you can easily to send to your local, state and federal representatives, visit the City's "What You Can Do" page and the SCV Disaster Coalition's "Stop CEMEX" page. SKP: There are now 8,000 people signed up as members of the City's Citizens' Coalition against CEMEX -- that's quite an army! How do more citizens join the fight? WEST: We encourage EVERYONE to sign up at our Coalition supporters website at www.stopcemexmegamine.com. We are solidifying a list of organizations, agencies, cities, environmental, and business groups who are in support of these efforts. We are also talking to other communities and cities across the country that have CEMEX issues either in their communities or are fighting a CEMEX project from coming to their communities. SKP: At the recent League of California Cities meeting, officials from other cities expressed support for Santa Clarita's fight against the mine. Do you think this will help expand awareness of our local/regional issue? WESTE: We are following up on this effort with letters to the cities from me, asking that they (the other cities) consider passing a resolution of support for our cause. We are going to also send them a draft of a resolution they can adopt. I do believe this helps to educate other cities about this issue. It is also important to let them know that something like this can happen in their city. SKP: How much has the City spent to date fighting the CEMEX project? WESTE: About $7 million, with another $800,000 approved at the last city council meeting. SKP: How important is it that individuals and community groups like the SCV Disaster Coalition -- whose Board includes private-sector people, non-profit organizations and key City staffers -- have joined the City in this battle? WESTE: Very important! Thank you so much! We want to get as many people involved in helping us prevent this mega-mining project as possible. SKP: The City is now in the second round of its anti-mega-mine billboard campaign off the 14 freeway at Sand Canyon Road. What were the results of the first billboard? WESTE: We were very pleased with the response from the community and from the press we received as a result of the [first] billboard. The City's billboard campaign is part of an all-encompassing outreach effort to let people know we are working hard to prevent the project and to engage them in being part of the [Citizens'] coalition. The billboard program supports the direct mail brochures [the City] mailed to every household in the Santa Clarita and Antelope Valleys, as well as the radio presence at our hometown radio station, KHTS-AM 1220. SKP: How many people see the billboard each day? WESTE: According to Caltrans, there are about 110,000 cars on the 14 freeway each day in the north L.A. County region who see the billboard. SKP: How long will the second billboard campaign last, and will there be a third? WESTE: For about two months. We have no plans at this time for a third billboard, but you never know! SKP: What was/will be the total cost of the billboard campaign? WESTE: We sub-leased the billboard from Lennar for what they pay, which is $5,000 per month. SKP: In the Thursday, Sept. 21 Signal there was a story about the second billboard going up, and the headline was "Billboard Met With Indifference," based on comments from business people around the billboard's location. Is this a perception issue, or are we actually dealing with widespread indifference to the CEMEX issue among the general public in Santa Clarita?? WESTE: I don't believe the headline matched the story; there really hasn't been indifference in our minds. We've received a lot of comments, emails, etc. from residents of north County. Based on the emails we receive at City Hall and the more than 8,000 postcards we have already received back [from the direct mailing], people tell us they are pleased that we are "fighting the good fight." SKP: What's the latest on the County's position on CEMEX? WESTE: The County approved this project as part of a Consent Decree. SKP: Has there been any sign their position might change? WESTE: You would have to ask the County. SKP: On the federal level, Congress is in session in Washington. Do you know anything about the timetable for consideration of HR5471, the Soledad Canyon Mine Leases Adjustment Act, introduced by U.S. Congressman Howard P. "Buck" McKeon that would avert the potential disaster by providing CEMEX alternate mining locations? WESTE: We do not have a timetable but we do not believe the bill will become law this year. We are hopeful Congressman McKeon will reintroduce the bill next year. SKP: The City has set up a page on its website where citizens can express support for McKeon's bill by emailing/writing our district and federal representatives in Washington. Is there a way to tell how many locals have actually used this page? WESTE: You would need to call their offices. However, since we've received those 8,000 postcards, and the postcards were also sent to their offices, I would say they also have 8,000 cards from residents, as the direct mail piece contained four return postcards -- one for the City and three for our federal legislators McKeon, Boxer and Feinstein. SKP: McKeon is one of 435 representatives in the House -- he needs the support of his fellow Congress people to get HR5471 passed. How can Santa Clarita citizens let the REST of Congress know Buck's bill is worthy? WESTE: That is Buck's job...we hope that he is working with his colleagues and using every opportunity to move this bill forward and gain support in the House. We do retain a federal lobbyist specifically to deal with the CEMEX issue. Cy Jamison is his name. We spend $7,500 per month on this contract. SCVDC: If the bill winds up stuck in committee this session of Congress, or gets bumped into next year, is the City committed to carry on the fight? WESTE: We will absolutely carry on the fight. The Santa Clarita City Council is united in this effort! SKP: What did you think about the recent mailing CEMEX did to local residents, basically saying we're ill-informed and over-reacting (my words)? WESTE: I think that the CEMEX mailing was less than truthful. Residents did not get a full picture of the size, scope and impacts of the proposed mega-mining project from CEMEX's mailing. Very soon, you will see a point/counterpoint to the mailing posted on www.stopcemexmegamine.com. SKP: What's the City's next step? WESTE: We are continuing our course of action on several levels: legal, legislative and outreach. SKP: Any other comments you'd like to make on the subject? WESTE: We again want to encourage everyone to sign up as a member of the Citizens' Coalition. The more people helping to get the word out about this issue, the better our fight! Join us at www.stopcemexmegamine.com. |
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