Martinez Residents Say Tell Me More (and More) About Refinery Incidents; How Many Oversight Committee Members Can See MRC from their House?; MPD to Get New Body Cams
Martinez Residents Say Tell Me More (and More) About Refinery Incidents; How Many Oversight Committee Members Can See MRC from their House?; MPD to Get New Body Cams
Plus, Martinez resident details the pothole from hell as city gives update on efforts to fix its roads; and the lowdown on the huge dirt pile at Pine Meadow
THANK YOU for the refinery update! I remember initially they were only going to have 3 community members but I complained during public comment that would not be nearly enough community seats. In the end it appears there are 5 so I believe they made that change. I know I am at the doorstep of the refinery and always have been, living in Mt. View all my life and one other member said he was smack up against the refinery ("wall") itself. So at least there are two of us in extremely close proximity and speaking for myself, experienced the full impact of the fallout, and am within an alarming closeness of these flaring's. I also never before saw a flare like that and a couple that happened soon afterward (that we were told were unrelated to the initial flaring incident). But you bring up a great point, where do the others actually live in relationship to the events. (?) I can say that each member introduced themselves and their reason for being on the committee, and seems like there are the usual experts (fire dept) as well as a union employee from the refinery (safety insight, etc.). I was pleased that the group is very interested in accelerating the process for answers and solutions. And I too am immensely concerned about the lack of levels of warnings, that should optimally alert us of ANYTHING because we deserve to know, and I want more than one type of siren for each level. Ms. Heath is doing a really good job of explaining and helping accommodate this committee. I'm very impressed with her abilities! (Frankly, I thought you were very knowledgeable and hoped you would apply yourself! Good to know you are in the neighborhood with us!) The meetings for the Risk Assessment Committee (Thursdays 3-4:30) on zoom allow for public to attend and have public comment at the end of the meeting. As a result of public comment at the last meeting, our first meeting, we changed a vote on the number of public input events that would be taking place. I supported the two community members who voiced their concern on this particular area we were discussing. All results from reports will be heard at City Council and County Supervisor meetings for additional public input as well.
Craig, once again, you are a wealth of information. There was an environmental scientist who applied to be on the committee. He was rejected. There was an attorney and she too, was rejected. I am very happy Chey was selected but there should have been more of a concentration from the Mtn View and downtown people.
Here’s my thought: Mrn View is not annexed into the city of Martinez, therefore, the residents there cannot vote for mayor or city council. They are “stuck” with county services. Their only representative in the case of the refinery is Glover. Had he or his staff perused the map, as you did, they’d know that their selection of people was flawed. I believe Bri and staff erred. I do want to say that Bri has been very responsive, however.
THANK YOU for the refinery update! I remember initially they were only going to have 3 community members but I complained during public comment that would not be nearly enough community seats. In the end it appears there are 5 so I believe they made that change. I know I am at the doorstep of the refinery and always have been, living in Mt. View all my life and one other member said he was smack up against the refinery ("wall") itself. So at least there are two of us in extremely close proximity and speaking for myself, experienced the full impact of the fallout, and am within an alarming closeness of these flaring's. I also never before saw a flare like that and a couple that happened soon afterward (that we were told were unrelated to the initial flaring incident). But you bring up a great point, where do the others actually live in relationship to the events. (?) I can say that each member introduced themselves and their reason for being on the committee, and seems like there are the usual experts (fire dept) as well as a union employee from the refinery (safety insight, etc.). I was pleased that the group is very interested in accelerating the process for answers and solutions. And I too am immensely concerned about the lack of levels of warnings, that should optimally alert us of ANYTHING because we deserve to know, and I want more than one type of siren for each level. Ms. Heath is doing a really good job of explaining and helping accommodate this committee. I'm very impressed with her abilities! (Frankly, I thought you were very knowledgeable and hoped you would apply yourself! Good to know you are in the neighborhood with us!) The meetings for the Risk Assessment Committee (Thursdays 3-4:30) on zoom allow for public to attend and have public comment at the end of the meeting. As a result of public comment at the last meeting, our first meeting, we changed a vote on the number of public input events that would be taking place. I supported the two community members who voiced their concern on this particular area we were discussing. All results from reports will be heard at City Council and County Supervisor meetings for additional public input as well.
Correction: Meant to say "Community Warning System" and not "County Warning System" in the second paragraph. Fixed.
MRC COMMITTEE LINK: https://cchealth.org/hazmat/mrc/
Craig, once again, you are a wealth of information. There was an environmental scientist who applied to be on the committee. He was rejected. There was an attorney and she too, was rejected. I am very happy Chey was selected but there should have been more of a concentration from the Mtn View and downtown people.
Here’s my thought: Mrn View is not annexed into the city of Martinez, therefore, the residents there cannot vote for mayor or city council. They are “stuck” with county services. Their only representative in the case of the refinery is Glover. Had he or his staff perused the map, as you did, they’d know that their selection of people was flawed. I believe Bri and staff erred. I do want to say that Bri has been very responsive, however.