To the Editor:

Wanda Flythe has written numerous opinion articles since VistaGreen’s project became public last February 2017. It seems every week a new one is in the Roanoke Chowan News Herald, echoing the same message as the last; “VistaGreen is bad” or “Coal Ash will kill you.”

As a citizen of Northampton County ask yourself, who is Wanda Flythe?

Does she have 50+ years of combined environmental remediation experience like the managing partners at VistaGreen? “NO.” Does she have a focused degree in environmental toxicology or engineering? “NO”. Has she had experience with CCR management or recycling? “NO.” Does she have a proven track record of providing employment opportunities for citizens of eastern NC for 30+ years? “NO.” Has she owned and operated a propane gas and liquid asphalt rail terminal for 17 years on the same CSX track a few miles away from the proposed VistaGreen High Bridge Park facility? “NO.” Is she trying to bring real industry with permanent jobs to your county? “NO”. Is she an expert on the subject matter she always mentions in the Roanoke-Chowan News-Herald? “NO.”

If I continued asking similar questions, we would almost have as many “NO’s” as articles Wanda Flythe has written. She is simply a concerned citizen repeating herself every week with the same story, but with zero experience or knowledge on this subject.

According to research compiled by Northampton County’s Planning and Zoning Department there is currently one known “illegal coal ash site” existing in Northampton County. The site is known as the Henry Long Site. It is an illegal coal ash dumping ground, and has been in Northampton County more than 10 years.

According to Northampton Planning and Zoning Director William Flynn, “The plan was approved by the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources in 2004. Northampton County officials were never notified of this project.”

“Notice of Violations were issued to the landowner at that time, yet it is believed he continued to dump coal ash on this site for some period thereafter. To my knowledge, the fill is closed and no dumping now occurs,” Flynn stated.

Flynn’s report never mentioned if the Henry Long Site was lined or unlined. Wanda Flythe and the NCCACA have not expressed any outrage or protest concerning an unregulated and illegal coal ash dump site in their county. They have been aware of this site since first published in the Roanoke- Chowan News-Herald in March 2017 titled “Coal Ash no stranger to N’hampton”. It is now almost 6 months later and not a word of concern? They protest a regulated legal storage and recycling operation that provides jobs, but sweep an illegal coal ash dumpsite under the rug?

The citizens are under the impression NCCACA stands for Northampton County Citizens against Coal Ash, when in reality it stands for Northampton County Citizens Against VistaGreen. NCCAVG makes a lot more sense considering they have taken zero action towards illegal dumping in the county.

If you are truly concerned about Coal Ash Residuals in your community, why would you trust this group?

CJ Mann

Raleigh