Now for something closer to home, a little too close for many of us. While People were spending days at the beach, the residents of Keyport are looking to see if a cluster of cancer cases near the old Aeromarine property is the site of contaminants causing the cancer cluster. Next to the site is a dump, where only shallow groundwater was tested.
Thursday night more than 150 residents came out to hear Sal Liguori, who has become a leading spokesman for the dump cleanup. Of course, the politicians were there each one demanding “answers.” Excel, an environmental testing company hired by did what it called “limited testing.”
Who should pay for the cleanup is always the question? Aeromarine, established in 1914, became a leading supplier of seaplanes to the Navy in World War I, closed in 1930. The 64-acre site became a landfill, ceasing operations in 1979. Obviously what is needed is more than a cursory investigation. Thinking about the future of any industrial site shouldn’t we ask questions before rather than 20, 30, 40 years later?
Prayer for the Day
In our distress, O God, we cry out to you,
For we are destroying the creation you gave us;
In our fear, O Lord, we wonder what we have done,
For our children are sick and we know not the cause.
Help us, O Holy One, to restore what we have destroyed,
And remove the power of corporate greed.
In the name of the One who calls us to action,
Even Christ Jesus our Lord, Amen.
Thoughts for the Day
I want my town to be a safe place, and I don’t think that should be too big of an ask. I want accountability from and proper actions taken by the DEP. If this cannot be handled by them, then bring in the EPA.
Lila Henn, 16-year old diagnosed with a rare form of Bone cancer, Keyport
As long as they get the job done. I feel that we can really bring everybody together. That’s all that I’m asking.
Sal Liguori, following event at his home Thursday night
Give heed to my words, O Lord, give heed to my sighing.
Listen to the sound of my cry, my King and my God, for to you I pray.
O Lord, in the morning you hear my voice; in the morning I plead my case to you
For you are not a God who delights in wickedness; evil will not sojourn with you.
Psalm 5: 1-4