Join Campaign Against Toxics

To the Editor:

The OhioPIRG Campaign Against Toxics is working again this semester on the issue of the River Valley Schools in Marion, Ohio. These schools were built on a former military toxic waste dump, which has resulted in greatly elevated cancer rates in River Valley graduates. Our work during past semesters with Senator [Mike] DeWine’s support has resulted in a plan to build new schools on a safe site by 2003-2004.
Unfortunately, the most urgent issue was not addressed. As the new schools are being built, the students of River Valley continue to attend school on a contaminated site. Students of the future are protected, but what about the students of today?
This semester, the Campaign Against Toxics is working with coalition partners Ohio Citizen Action and the Concerned River Valley Families to build support for a plan to remove the students immediately to an alternate site while the new, safe schools are built. We need your help! Write Senator DeWine to show your support for the plan. For more information on this issue, contact us at x8137 or via email at opirg@oberlin.edu.

–Matthew Fairbanks
College sophomore
Campaign Against Toxics Co-Coordinator