With toxic waste making its way back into Putnam County from the East Palestine, Ohio train derailment, several community members are holding an informational meeting tonight at the Russellville Community Center, 300 N. Harrison St., Russellville.
The doors will open at 6:30 p.m. and the meeting will begin at 7 p.m. and features information on dioxins and aquifer, as well as an action planning session, according to event organizers.
The meeting will discuss the dangers of dioxins and cancer-causing chemicals, the history of concerned citizens, the potential dangerous contamination of Tipton Till Aquifer and why current testing is insufficient.
"We will have an environmental and hydrogeologist there who will be able to educate the community on all their geological questions. We will also have a Michigan State professor who works on pollution issues across the state, Citizens for Action Coalition will be there, Rudy Guerrero will be speaking and Putnam County community organizers Kathryne Williams and Morgan Myers will be speaking. There will also be resources and information available that people can gather and take home to educate themselves on the situation. There will also be a table there about the endangered/threatened and rare specials of Putnam County that will impacted," community organizer Morgan Myers told The Putnam County Post.
Myers has been outspoken about the shipments since it was announced the hazardous material would be coming to Putnam County, and has organized several protests within the last month.
She said the reactions from the community have been "positive."
"So far, the reaction seems to be positive and people are still very concerned despite the lab testing from Pace," Myers said.