Latest News
Campaign Finance for New Hanover Co. Candidates Public
Monday, May 07, 2012
Who is backing the candidates for New Hanover County Commissioner?
> Read MoreSLAPP suit against citizens resolved through mediation
Thursday, April 05, 2012
Citizens sued by Titan Cement can move on with their lives
After a year of stress and anxiety over a frivolous lawsuit filed by foreign-owned Titan Cement, Kayne Darrell and Dr. David Hill can breathe a sigh of relief. Through mediation the suit filed by Titan on Feb. 25, 2011 in U.S. District Court, has been resolved. Click here to read the full Star News article. More news clips below.
Statements from Titan say "Prior to [the] mediation, we had not personally met and spoken with Dr. Hill and Ms. Darrell. Having done so, we do not believe that either Dr. Hill or Ms. Darrell intentionally made any false statements about Titan or our plant in New Hanover County."
Could this matter have been resolved if Titan communicated with the community they wish to inhabit? Absolutely.
As for Kayne and Dr. Hill, show your support for the brave citizens who battled a Titan and survived! Their attorneys Gary Shipman and William Wright, of Shipman and Wright in Wilmington, also deserve to be acknowledged for their hard work in representing Kayne and Dr. Hill.- Attend a Solidarity Event, Friday April 6th at Surfhouse Cafe on Racine Dr. For more info, click here.
Most importantly, keep up the good fight!
> Read MoreTitan's SLAPP suit against local citizens goes to mediation
Tuesday, April 03, 2012
The parties will meet at the office of law firm Williams Mullen in downtown Wilmington. > Read More
A SLAPP in the Face: Speaking Out and Fighting Titans
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
Imagine picking up the morning paper to learn that you were headline. Not only that but the topic is a lawsuit from Titan attacking your right to Free Speech. That's exactly what happened to Kayne Darrell a little over a year ago and here's an update from her today. > Read More
Doctors Warn About Gutting State Air Program
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
State's Toxic Air Program Threatened
Monday, March 19, 2012
North Carolina’s air toxics program now appears at risk by a new bill introduced by Republican lawmakers. Read the first of this two part series in the NC Coastal Federation's Coastal Review Online by clicking here. > Read More
Titan Receives Air Permit, Citizens Rally
Tuesday, March 06, 2012
Click on the image (or here) to see video footage from a recent Citizens Against Titan protest, over Titan's recent air permit. Parents, doctors and business owners attended to show that our community is not backing down from Titan.
> Read MoreEmail to Bob Odom from Castle Hayne Resident
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Castle Hayne resident wants answers, is Bob Odom or anyone from Titan willing to give them?
> Read MoreGetting Sued for Speaking Out Against Titan
Friday, February 24, 2012
Did you know that SLAPP lawsuits are not legal in many states because of the threat they pose to free speech? Our support goes out to Dr. David Hill and Kayne Darrell as they continue this most absurd fight... > Read More
Passion reigns on both sides of the Titan fence
Monday, January 30, 2012
The last of the Star News' three-part series on Titan weighs economic arguments for and against the plant. Tom Looney, a local business executive, blasts Wilmington Industrial Development for being "hopelessly out of touch" with the area's long-term economic future. > Read More
Titan trying to calm environmentalists' fears
Sunday, January 29, 2012
Check out the first of Star News' three part series on Titan Cement and both sides of the fight. > Read More
Study finds Titan project detrimental to health, could cause premature deaths
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Great coverage by WWAY on last night's ICF International's presentation on their health impact study. Do you think DAQ and Gov. Perdue should consider the reports findings? Or at least ask for a full comprehensive review from Titan?
Click here to read the full study from ICF International.
Click here for three-page summary of the findings.
> Read MoreTitan project would cost millions in health care, report says
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
"Pollution from the proposed Titan cement plant project could cost residents of the Cape Fear region around $6.5 million in health-care costs in a five-month period..." One of many interesting finds from ICF International. > Read More
Workers protest Titan Cement in Alexandria City, Egypt
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
We're not the only citizens fighting Titan Cement
Thanks to the power of Facebook, our community has some new friends -- in Egypt! Two days ago, Egyptian residents reached out to our local Citizens Against Titan group and Stop Titan with pictures, videos and updates from thier current fight against the Titan Cement facility in Alexandria City, Egypt. Here are a few pictures from a recent Workers Against Titan protest:
Egyptian children hold signs saying "Children deserve to breath clean air" during a protest in front of Titan Cement's plant in Alexandria City, Egypt.
The man holding the bullhorn recently had a son. After a month, his son was hospitalized for breathing complications.
Hundreds of workers protest in front of Titan Cement's plant in Alexandria City, Egypt. There have been layoffs and many workers suffer from health problems.
Protesters pause for prayer.
The area between Titan and a gas facility is a residential neighborhood.
> Read More
Report finished with recommendations for Titan air permit qualifications
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
NEW HANOVER COUNTY, NC (WECT) - The North Carolina Division of Air Quality has completed its report on public hearings held regarding a cement plant proposed for the Castle Hayne area of New Hanover County. The hearings took place on September 27 & 29 in Wilmington, and featured dozens of residents speaking out against Carolinas Cement Company's plans to build the plant. > Read More
Report on Titan draft air permit ready
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
The final report and recommendations have been sent to N.C. Division of Air Quality director, Sheila Holman, over Titan's air permit. While New Hanover County awaits her decision, citizens and Stop Titan supporters hope that their DAQ comments will continue to carry weight, along with Patrick Butler's recommendations in the decision process.
> Read More
Court rejects cement industry's attack on public health
Friday, December 09, 2011
Geoff Gisler, Staff Attorney, 919-967-1450 > Read More
Beware false choices that threaten our health
Thursday, December 08, 2011
"... How we respond to this assault on our environmental and public health protections will mean the difference between sickness and health - in some cases, life and death - for hundreds of thousands of citizens."
How is Wilmington going to respond to corporate bullies like Titan who say we must choose either our economy or our health?
> Read More
Final step nears for Titan America draft air permit
Monday, November 21, 2011
Patrick Butler, regional supervisor of the NC Division of Air Quality told Star News this week that he would like to have a recommendation on Titan's draft air permit as soon as three week from now. This is not a final decision but merely a recommendation to the Director of DAQ, which could be a suggestion for approval, denial or request for more information on the project. Regardless, we are still waiting for a decision and suggest everyone ask themselves "Was my comment fully considered? Why was there no mention of the recent Health Report released by ICF International?" > Read More
Health and Public Health Support and Official Resolutions
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Healthcare and Public Health
- 240 Wilmington physicians
- 176 Associated Wilmington healthcare providers
- Seaside Pediatrics, PA
- Concerned Healthcare Professionals of the Lower Cape Fear Region
- Cape Fear Health Policy Council
- Transatlantic Pharma, Inc.
- Talk to the Animals Speech Therapy
- New Hanover County Board of Health
- New Hanover-Pender County Medical Society
- North Carolina Pediatric Society
- American Lung Association in North Carolina
- Asthma Alliance of North Carolina
- Old North State Medical Society
Does government regulation really kill jobs? Economists say overall effect minimal.
Sunday, November 13, 2011
Titan continues to fight the strength of EPA regulations in the name of "jobs" but according to this latest article by Jia Lynn Yang at The Washington Post, other variables are likely to blame. For example, a drop in business demand results in a larger number of job losses than government regulations. Read here now! > Read More
Stop Titan legal team submits detailed comments regarding Titan's draft air permit
Friday, November 04, 2011
As part of the public commenting process surrounding Titan's controversial draft air permit, Duke Environmental Law & Policy Clinic and the Southern Environmental Law Center submitted powerful letters to the N.C. Division of Air Quality on behalf of Stop Titan Action Network partners. > Read More
NC Wildlife Federation concerned about Titan's draft air permit
Friday, October 28, 2011
North Carolina Wildlife Federation concered about Titan's draft air permit
Industrial zoning regulations will affect Titan
Thursday, October 13, 2011
After the County Commissioners passed new zoning revisions, with the addition of the special use permit for heavy industries, there were some questions and comments about whether or not Titan (a.k.a Carolinas Cement) is considered an existing business or not. According the revisions, industries currently operating and "open for business" prior to Oct. 3rd would not be required to apply for the permit unless they changed in industry intensity.
> Read More
Commissioners approve special use permit for heavy industry
Tuesday, October 04, 2011
SUP approved!
Citizens and local elected leaders will now have a say in what types of industries are permitted to operate in New Hanover County. In 4-1 vote, the New Hanover County Commissioners passed zoning revisions that would require heavy or intensive industries to obtain a local special use permit before they are allowed to apply for state permits. To review the newly approved zoning revisions, click here. > Read MoreThank you for an inspiring week of activism...ONWARD TO OCT. 3rd!
Friday, September 30, 2011
SELC crunches EPA's numbers for not-so-great results on NC's air quality
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Here’s a little inspiration for speaking at the Titan air permit hearings….
According to a new study published by Southern Environmental Law Center (SELC),New Hanover County has the second highest amount of toxic air pollution in North Carolina. Toxic air pollutants are considered by state and federal regulators to be pollutants that are the most hazardous to public health, including PCBs; dioxins; asbestos; heavy metals such as arsenic, cadmium, hexavalent chromium, mercury, and others; formaldehyde; cyanide and dozens of known carcinogens. Industries are required by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to report their annual emissions of toxic air pollutants. The SELC study shows New Hanover County released a whopping 3,056,955 lbs of toxic air pollution into our local air in 2010. > Read MoreRep. Carolyn Justice urges you to attend public hearings
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Titan's Air Permit Hearings: What you need to know
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
What you need to know
The North Carolina Division of Air Quality (NC DAQ) has scheduled three Public Hearings on the Titan air permit. All three public hearings will be held in Wilmington the last week of September. Citizens need to pick one public hearing to attend. Show up in your RED shirts!
Public Hearing # 1: Tuesday, Sept. 27th: 3-5 pm -- Cape Fear Community College, North Campus, McKeithan Center, 4500 Blue Clay Rd., Castle Hayne, NC. [RSVP] [MAP] [PARKING INFO] > Read More
Public Hearings Scheduled for Titan's Draft Air Permit
Friday, August 26, 2011
DAQ has confirmed times/locations for Titan's draft air permit hearings
The N.C. Division of Air Quality has scheduled three public hearings in September on a new draft air quality permit for a proposed cement manufacturing plant in New Hanover County.
The public hearings will provide opportunities for citizens to comment on the draft air permit for the proposed cement plant. People who wish to speak at the hearings should plan to limit their time to three minutes or less. The hearing officer will have the discretion to further limit speaking times, if necessary, to accommodate the number of speakers and time constraints. The hearings are scheduled for:
Tuesday, Sept. 27, 3-5 p.m. and 6-10 p.m., Cape Fear Community College, North Campus, McKeithan Center, 4500 Blue Clay Road, Castle Hayne. Click here to register for this public hearing.***
Thursday, Sept. 29, 6-10 p.m., UNC-Wilmington, Kenan Auditorium, 601 S. College Road, Wilmington, NC. Click here to register for this public hearing.***
People attending the hearings at Cape Fear Community College should park only in non-numbered spaces and display a parking pass in their windshield, which will be available at the hearing or can be downloaded by clicking here. At the UNCW hearing, attendants will be on site to direct parking in the lot next to Kenan Auditorium.
Instructions for Sending in Comments:
The draft permit was released on Aug. 5 and the comment period will end on Oct. 31, 2011. Written comments should be emailed to patrick.butler@ncdenr.gov or mailed to Patrick Butler, N.C. Division of Air Quality, 3800 Barrett Dr., Suite 101, Raleigh, NC 27609.
A draft air quality permit allows for public comment and review of DAQ’s findings prior to the division deciding whether to issue the permit as written; issue the permit with modifications; or deny the permit. In addition, the project still must receive environmental permits from other state and federal agencies. The issuance of an air quality permit does not represent any commitment on the part of the state to issue any of the remaining environmental permits.
This is NOT our first time to the rodeo
The division held public hearings on a previous draft permit for the facility in September 2009, but the application was placed on hold due to a court decision. The court determined that Titan would need to conduct a full environmental impact study before receiving any permits because it planned to accept state and local economic incentives. The company later declined the incentives and processing of the application resumed in January 2011.
Since the previous draft permit, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has adopted more stringent limits on a number of air pollutants that would be emitted by the facility. The new draft permit would require the facility to meet new EPA regulations for sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, greenhouse gases, mercury and other hazardous air pollutants.
> Read MoreDAQ releases draft air permit for Titan, public hearings TBA
Thursday, August 04, 2011
Daq releases draft air permit
The Division of Air Quality has issued the draft air permit and review for Titan Cement. This is not a final permit for Titan. We repeat this is not the final be all, end all. We're still in this! > Read MoreNew website launches, detailing zoning revisions
Monday, July 25, 2011
Check out www.NHCSUP.com
If you are in search of more information on the New Hanover County proposed zoning revisions, visit www.NHCSUP.com. Here you'll find quick facts, ways to send in your comments and details on upcoming public meetings.
These zoning revisions will allow citizens and local elected leaders a voice in what type of industries come to our community.
> Read MoreSupporting Public Health Above Titanic Profits
Monday, July 11, 2011
Click HERE to read Kelly Stryker's latest blog entry on BlueNC.com, titled "The Science of Supporting Public Health Above Titanic Profits." > Read More
Stand Up and March on July 6th
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Will you stand up to the neighborhood bully?
Titan's recent attempts to bully our citizens and manipulate our elected leaders should have us all marching in the streets. Join us in Castle Hayne NEXT WED. JULY 6 for a community-wide action. We will meet at Holly Shelter School at 5:00 PM and peacefully parade down the street, as a community united against Titan Cement. Our march will be a half-mile and we will end at our new billboard on Castle Hayne Rd. For directions to Holly Shelter School, click here > Read MoreTitan suing residents - UPDATE on SLAPP suit
Thursday, June 09, 2011
Many of you have been asking for an update on the lawsuit filed against two, local citizens who spoke their concerns about Titan America’s plans to build a massive cement plant and mine in our community. Here’s the latest…
Results are in -- Citizens want Titan's permit delayed
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Almost three-quarters of registered voters in New Hanover County support delaying state permits for Titan America’s proposed cement plant north of Wilmington until all the environmental and human health effects are fully explored, according to a new poll. Seventy-three percent of the respondents support the delay, while 21 percent do not. The rest were unsure.
Darrell/Hill Citizens Legal Defense Fund Established
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Kayne Darrell and Dr. David Hill are two citizens being sued by Titan. They have set up a private legal defense fund to raise money for this suit. For more information on how to donate to this fund visit www.fighttitan.com or click here. > Read More
Legal Fund established, Community rallies
Monday, March 14, 2011
Legal fund for citizens’ being sued by Titan seeking support – Ten days ago, the Star News reported that two New Hanover County residents, Kayne Darrell and pediatrician Dr. David Hill, were being sued by Titan Cement. Since the news broke, the community has reacted strongly in support of Darrell and Dr. Hill. One of the many generous offers came from a concerned individual in the form of an online, secure legal fund web site. Folks are encouraged to donate money to support Darrell and Dr. Hill as they take on Titan in the courts either though the online site or by mailing checks or cash to Darrell/Hill Legal Defense Fund - P. O. Box 7576 - Wilmington, NC 28406. > Read More
Titan Suing Citizens
Monday, March 07, 2011
On Saturday, March 5th, the Star-News reported that two New Hanover County residents, Kayne Darrell and pediatrician Dr. David Hill, were being sued by Titan Cement for slander and defamation, “charging they made defamatory and untrue statements about Titan’s push to obtain permits to build a cement plant in Castle Hayne” at a county commissioners meeting more than a year ago. > Read More
