January 23, 2009

Dear Mayor and Members of Council,

Last night at the Cincinnati NAACP Membership Meeting the branch voted to take action surrounding an environmental justice ordinance that is being held by the Mayor.  The Cincinnati Community has been waiting for three decades for Council and the Mayor to show leadership around protecting our citizens from health hazards.  The Cincinnati NAACP most recently has been in contact with Council member Crowley regarding drafting and introducing an EJ ordinance for the City of Cincinnati.  The Cincinnati NAACP voted last night that I request immediately an up or down vote on the environmental justice legislation before the Mayor and Council. This request has now officially been made on behalf of the members, executive committee and officers of the Cincinnati NAACP.  

African American and Appalachian people have been devastated by the irresponsible actions of some of our corporations in Cincinnati.  Our children can not breath, our men and women are dying of cancer at alarming rates, and lead poisoning rates of our children continue to be at high levels.  The Cincinnati NAACP is shocked that a democratic controlled Council and Mayor have taken no action on the EJ ordinance. 

I look forward to hearing from any of our elected officials on a clear timeline of when this legislation will be voted on by Council.  The Cincinnati NAACP membership is very aware that this is an election year for the Mayor and for Members of Council.  This EJ ordinance will be on the Cincinnati NAACP Report Card.  No action by your body will be viewed as a "no" vote.

Sincerely,