D&C Hopes Fear = Readers (Pt. 2)

Neither Shock Nor Awe

First the editor and publisher of the D&C tried to scare you into reading with the ominous tagline: "A neighborhood in our community is contaminated and homeowners have been unaware of the potential danger."

The Fox News fear approach may have worked for the Gannett publication had the WBP not completely debunked the aforementioned claims in our post on the matter back in March.

As we reported, records regarding the contamination which was the subject of the piece had existed for over a decade in multiple forms available to the public.

But the D&C did not yield and proceeded to report on a "groundwater contamination plume" that supposedly threatened water supplies and homes throughout Victor, NY. The articles prompted public forums where citizens voiced their anger that state and local officials would put them in harm's way. Some residents thought they might have to move. Air and water samples were taken and the D&C braced for the worst and called for more "Watchdog" tips from readers.

What was the result of Rochester's self-proclaimed watchdog's actions? Do we have to wipe out Victor Jericho-style and completely start the cycle of life over?

From the D&C -

State officials say they’ve found only one Victor home in need of ventilation to combat solvent vapors suspected to originate from contaminated groundwater in a western section of the town.

(Key ominous music) >Bum, bum, bum<

COMIDA & Public Pollution

Getinge Sourcing LLC May Receive Benefits

A public hearing is scheduled for 6:00pm tomorrow night regarding the possible receipt of COMIDA benefits by Getinge Sourcing LLC. The hearing will be held at the Henrietta Town Hall at 475 Calkins Road.

Getinge is asking COMIDA to assist in the renovation and equipping of a land parcel on East Henrietta Rd. including the reconfiguration of the manufacturing floor, building office space and constructing a new showroom. COMIDA will apply its standard set of mortgage and property tax exemptions.

Getinge Sourcing LLC has also drawn the attention of another organization.

PlanetHazard.com allows visitors to "learn about the unknown hazards around you - the toxins you may be breathing. PlanetHazard uses information from the EPA to map over 86,000 companies throughout the United States that emit hazardous air pollutants."

Getinge Sourcing LLC is listed in the Rochester area as an emitter of chromium, nickel and manganese.

PlanetHazard also displays a searchable map that allows users to pinpoint locations like schools, populated areas and parks in relation to the respective company.

Albany Preserves Adirondacks

From an AP story -

State officials have completed agreements to protect almost 260,000 acres of Adirondack wilderness and open much of it to public recreation. The deal, struck in 2004 with the International Paper Company, involved conservation easements on 257,000 acres in nine counties. Under the contracts, the Lyme Timber Company, which has since bought most of International Paper’s Adirondack land, will not sell the land for development, and the state will pay local taxes.