Author: Jessica Mathews / news@whmi.com Howell is working to better educate and communicate with residents about a controversial industrial shredder project. Padnos Iron & Metal on Lucy Road already needs state and local approval to build an industrial car shredder, and recently reached an agreement with New York City to extend water services to this location. The city council met on Monday night. Mayor Pro-Tem Steve Manor asked for support and asked the staff to develop a communication plan for the citizens of the project. Also noticed that Protect Livingston is still sending out flyers-the organization strongly opposes paper shredders that cause various environmental problems. The manor told the city council that he kept receiving leaflets containing "misinformation and intimidation." He believes that New York City has not provided sufficiently consistent, broad-based information, and hopes to assure the community that New York City is looking for the best interests of its citizens. City manager Erv Suida also responded to an earlier letter from Genoa town officials regarding the project, saying that the letter contained "false and general statements...based on guesses, not facts." Suida said that the city government is very willing to cooperate with surrounding towns and authorities, especially in the area of ​​regional planning, but "cannot allow this type of open letter to exist alone without correcting the record with facts and speculation." It stated that the photos cited by the township were from the previous company Regal Auto Salvage Facility, and questioned whether this was negligence or misrepresentation. This further clarifies the municipal government's position in providing water supply services to the site. At the Monday meeting, he Suida stated that since receiving the letter, they have not really heard much news, and pointed out that it is being there for review by the city council. Suida said the staff have been discussing how to communicate better, but pointed out that they will not follow up the Protect Livingston flyer with anyone of their own. For the vast majority of people, he said that "the flyer may eventually reach where it belongs", referring to the recycle bin, for those who have reached out; the staff has done an excellent education job with more than 300-400 People talking. Mayor Bob Ellis said that every time the flyer came out, they would get some exchanges, but it seemed to be less and less every time-people were overwhelmed by the flyers, many people learned that the information was not true, or they were just too tired. Suida said that one strategy under discussion involves Padnos. Suida said, and the city council agreed, Padnos also has a responsibility to reassure residents. He said that they need to figure out some ways to explain the reality of their renewal process, which is better and safer than the process over the past 40 years-emphasizing that air and water quality are regulated by the EPA and the state of Michigan, and noise and odor problems are resolved. Congresswoman Jan Lobur believes that communication should be continuous, and it is good to have a key person, and others agree. Suida said they will sort things out and bring the plan back to the city council, even if this is an area where people can easily find the information they are looking for and show that the project meets all health and safety standards. Provides a link to the Monday board meeting data package, which contains Suida's letter. Genoa’s letter begins on page 23, and the municipal government’s response begins on page 26.

Return to WHMI for a complete list of current news