Activist to Niagara Falls: speak up; take action

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has.” –Margaret Mead

Three and a half years is a long time for a person to tolerate any level of significant disruption in their lives. When that disruption persists and prevents individuals from functioning and living their lives as usual, something needs to give. How long are the residents of Lewiston Road willing to wait for these problems to solve themselves? The issues posed by Lewiston Road’s literal upheaval may in fact be far more nefarious than the irritating hindrance of dug up roads and dusty, gravel strewn front yards.

Frank Parlato, Publisher of The Niagara Falls Reporter and organizer of last Tuesday’s community meeting in the gymnasium of Maple Elementary School, engaged the audience of nearly 100 by first asking for a show of hands of who felt there was a health risk posed by the ongoing Lewiston Road project. It was a near 50/50 split, with some attendees adamant that there were no health concerns and the other half concerned about the possibility. Yet, none of the residents could offer any data or research to demonstrate the truth value of either perspective.

In addition to the many Lewiston Road residents and business owners, scientists and academics were also present at the meeting. When asked for a show of hands signifying those concerned with potential health risks, the scientists and academics were observed outstretching their hands. The meeting was intentionally organized as an open dialogue concerned with examining litigation, contracts, and engineering. However, substantial periods of the meeting were filled with passion-fueled proclamations by residents of their intent to organize, form a grassroots community advocacy group and speak out against the wrongdoings endured by the citizens of Lewiston Road.

The possibility of radiation exposure from the disturbed and exposed slag underlying Lewiston Road was raised by several meeting attendees. The need for an independent survey of the area by a qualified, third-party was suggested. Some attendees fervently agreed that an evaluation of the road by a qualified survey team was a much needed next step. Others appeared frustrated at the mere suggestion of a land survey, seemingly convinced, without any facts or assurances, that there simply is no health risk. If you can’t see it or feel it, it can’t be real, right?

In my opinion, the best possible news the community could receive at this point would be from an independent surveyor revealing no radiation hazard. The opposite news would be crushing for property values, not to mention devastating long-term consequence to community health and well-being. Yet, confirmation or assurances either way have never been provided to the people. Believe it or not, there is no consensus as to whether or not people are being poisoned by the disturbed slag and its fine particulate dust that regularly coats the cars and kitchen counters of residential homes and businesses.

While the people of Lewiston Road debate whether or not they feel the need to pursue an independent survey, which would ultimately confirm or deny a risk of radioactive hazards, I can say a few things for certain: If I were a resident of Lewiston Road, I would be present at every single Niagara Falls City Council meeting, sharing my two cents about what it feels like to live in turmoil and upheaval for years on end. I would petition my government officials and remind them that the residents and the friends and family members of residents living on Lewiston Road can and do vote. I would form a community group and encourage weekly meetings to strategize and create momentum on this issue. I would reach out to anyone and everyone who seemed remotely interested in the struggle facing my community. I would form alliances with both human rights and environmental advocacy groups. I would exhaust every avenue that has been set up by my government to rectify the situation, and if/when bureaucracy failed, I would design banners and signs and start exercising my First Amendment Rights to assemble.

The Lewiston Road issue is far from an isolated problem. Lewiston Road is a microcosm of a larger social ill. The sheer time which has passed, while residents suffer in silence, is a testament to a deeply entrenched social apathy. The power of the people is the only thing that will ever protect the people from exploitation or government interference. As individuals, we must stand up and be the change we seek in the world. If we wait patiently for someone else to come along and right the wrongs, we will be waiting a long, long time… even longer than the Lewiston Road residents.