Nationally known homemaker turned environmental activist speaks in Whiteville, Lake Waccamaw.
By NICOLE CARTRETTE
Staff Writer
Lois Gibbs wasn’t all that different from other housewives in her community. She graduated from high school, married her high school sweetheart and bought a house in Niagara Falls, N.Y.
The smell of chemicals in the air didn’t bother her or her neighbors and she described the community as “idyllic.”
“We smelled chemicals; we smelled a good economy,” Gibbs said. “We knew we would have food on our table, good benefits and healthcare.”
After her son Michael developed epilepsy, a urinary tract disorder, an immune system disorder similar to HIV and major liver problems her fairy-tale life was taking a terrible turn for the worst. (Click on title for full story)
September 6th, 2007 at 1:52 pm
This article just brings to our attention how vunerable people become anytime the words “good for the economy” is dangled before them, especially if the current economical conditions are poor. It surpasses any considerations for long term well being of any kind without regard to whether the term applies to personal health or more broadscope views of long term economy. Small communities are suffering from “big box syndrome” more often than true physical threats. While the physical aspects of this story are heart wrenching and certainly should serve as a warning to us all to look before we leap, it should also serve to open dialog regarding the overall economic health of communities. Columbus County is a very challenged area from an economic standpoint and loss of farming is not totally to blame. I challenge you to take a look at your local big box “Walmart”. What do they sell? Clothing, toys, office supplies, food, drugs, technology items, electronics, etc…everything to everybody but pretty much 100% imported whether that means foreign or just out of the area. How does their payscale compare to small business? What happens when those businesses disappear? The guy at the local grocery buys from the local farmer who takes that money to the local hardware and auto/tire business, all of whom in turn employ local people making a decent salary. Low pay and/or an ocassional donation to a local cause does not equal local money being recycled into the community to keep everyone alive and well. Paying a few cents/dollars more here and there to a local business can end up being the best investment you ever make into your personal and community future because the jobs and economy just might be there for you when you need it. When you have no major industry, tourist attraction or other function to draw outside dollars into your community arena, all you really have is each other. Many economists believe that this is a bottom feeding tactic for fueling an economy that will eventually fail but I would remind them that this is how America built itself in the first place, rising to the most powerful nation in the world. How is that for a reference to success? It seems the more we take our business elsewhere, the more we slide into desperation causing ourselves to make poor judgement calls, even to the point that we will allow physically dangerous entities to open up….as long as they promise us “it’s good for the economy”. Hope I jogged a few brain cells today..look forward to your comments.