Council Asks Matelko to Provide Proof of Sludge Evidence
The Menifee City Council Tuesday night officially asked Planning Commissioner Mark Matelko to furnish documents he claims provide evidence o...
http://www.menifee247.com/2013/03/council-asks-matelko-to-provide-proof-of-sludge-evidence.html
The Menifee City Council Tuesday night officially asked Planning Commissioner Mark Matelko to furnish documents he claims provide evidence of the past use of sludge in Menifee and its negative impact on the health of local citizens.
Mayor Scott Mann received council members’ support in directing city staff to send a letter to Matelko, requiring him to provide these records by 5 p.m. on Tuesday, March 26. This request comes in response to Matelko’s recent published comments that he possessed documents supporting the claims of a local citizens’ group that sludge was dumped on a large area of the city and poses a legitimate health risk.
Sludge is the common name for biosolids that were used legally in some farming applications prior to their ban in 2001.
Members of the council agreed that it is important that if such documents exist, Matelko should present them for review and analysis. Some, however, said they doubted that the content would refute the testimony given during the council’s March 5 sludge information workshop, in which a panel of experts said there was no evidence of a local health risk from biosolids.
“When the dust settles – no pun intended -- I believe you will find that Menifee is still a safe place to raise your kids,” said deputy mayor Wallace Edgerton.
Councilman John Denver noted that Menifee’s real estate values are not increasing at the same rate as those in neighboring cities, citing the sludge claims as a possible factor. Echoing his concerns, Councilman Greg August further stressed the importance that any information presented by Matelko applies directly to the City of Menifee.
“I know Mr. Matelko will comply with this request,” said August, “but it must be with the caviat that the records have to apply to use of sludge in the city of Menifee.”
Matelko was not present at the meeting. His comments were made at the March 12 Planning Commission meeting, a week after a public forum regarding possible use of sludge in Menifee that he did not attend.
Earlier in Tuesday’s council meeting, anti-sludge advocate Katie Minnear repeated earlier concerns about the effects of sludge in the area, saying the March 5 workshop “was a joke” and that no legitimate experts testified.
Mayor Scott Mann received council members’ support in directing city staff to send a letter to Matelko, requiring him to provide these records by 5 p.m. on Tuesday, March 26. This request comes in response to Matelko’s recent published comments that he possessed documents supporting the claims of a local citizens’ group that sludge was dumped on a large area of the city and poses a legitimate health risk.
Sludge is the common name for biosolids that were used legally in some farming applications prior to their ban in 2001.
Members of the council agreed that it is important that if such documents exist, Matelko should present them for review and analysis. Some, however, said they doubted that the content would refute the testimony given during the council’s March 5 sludge information workshop, in which a panel of experts said there was no evidence of a local health risk from biosolids.
“When the dust settles – no pun intended -- I believe you will find that Menifee is still a safe place to raise your kids,” said deputy mayor Wallace Edgerton.
Councilman John Denver noted that Menifee’s real estate values are not increasing at the same rate as those in neighboring cities, citing the sludge claims as a possible factor. Echoing his concerns, Councilman Greg August further stressed the importance that any information presented by Matelko applies directly to the City of Menifee.
“I know Mr. Matelko will comply with this request,” said August, “but it must be with the caviat that the records have to apply to use of sludge in the city of Menifee.”
Matelko was not present at the meeting. His comments were made at the March 12 Planning Commission meeting, a week after a public forum regarding possible use of sludge in Menifee that he did not attend.
Earlier in Tuesday’s council meeting, anti-sludge advocate Katie Minnear repeated earlier concerns about the effects of sludge in the area, saying the March 5 workshop “was a joke” and that no legitimate experts testified.
how long did it take the tobacco industry to admit that nicotine was addictive? Or the U.S. Government to confess that agent orange may be the cause of so many g.i."s coming home sick? I know clusters in Menifee that entire blocks have people suffering from cancer very near ethanac. is that just coincidence...who knows. the japanese are still suffering from the side effects of hirshima and nagasaki. We shouldn't dismiss folks who have spent years and years protesting the sludge plague.
ReplyDeleteIf Matelko does not produce these documents that he claims to have, then he needs to be removed from the planning commission right away for making false claims that hurt our property values.
ReplyDeleteLooks like he did provide them to the public at the Wooden Nickel forum, too bad certain people lied to the press...March 24, press enterprise...Peters blogs...I think those who stated Matelko's were lying need to pay for damages....
Deleteis your precious property value all you care about? not the truth if in fact there is a health hazard? don't you want that health hazard addressed and taken care of? remove Mr. matelko because he's a concerned citizen for all residents of menifee? shame on you!
ReplyDeleteYes, my precious property value is something I care about a lot! If he has documents that prove where sludge was dumped and the health hazards that it is producing today in Menifee, then he needs to produce the documents now. If he fails to show the council these documents, then I suspect they don't exist and the only sludge in the community is coming from the mouths of Matelko and his friends.
ReplyDeleteRead PE today...Reporter shown box loads of documents and posted...these comments slandering the Matelko's will prove the damage to their reputation by those in the community who covered up this issue and lied....
DeleteAgree completely. YES, PROPERTY VALUE IS VERY IMPORTANT. If this constant need to be seen and heard is unfounded, then "Sit down and shut up". Conversely, if there is a legitimate concern, prove it, fix it, move on. I, for one, don't feel the need to watch everyone around us recover from a real estate collapse while we continue to self destruct because of the needs of a few to remain in the spotlight. This ploy of "I have proof and I don't need to show you" is typical grandstanding and warrants zero consideration. I think the Council has done more than enough to provide a level of assurance that their statements are backed by proof. Oppositions turn....
ReplyDeleteThis is the dilemma faced by zealots: Cry “wolf” too often and every one will ignore you.
ReplyDeleteDo they have anything worthwhile to offer? Not likely, they are too blinded by their irrational belief in unfounded dogma.