Sean McCann and his Tin Can Telephone Operators, Saturday, June 2nd (Photo courtesy of Creed Stegall)
Sunday, June 10, 2007
Do-Dah Parade 2007
Sean McCann and his Tin Can Telephone Operators, Saturday, June 2nd (Photo courtesy of Creed Stegall)
Thursday, April 19, 2007
A Nickname No One Wants
by Sean McCann
Over the years, Kalamazoo has had several nicknames—the Burr Oak City, the Celery City, and the Debt-Free City, to name a few. By the 1930’s, the area was home to over fifteen paper mills, and Kalamazoo was dubbed the Paper City.
Around this time, the Swann Chemical Company began commercial production of polychlorinated biphenyls, or PCBs. In 1935, the Monsanto Industrial Chemical Company purchased Swann and continued PCB production until 1977. They were used in production of power transformers, capacitors, heat transfer systems, hydraulic fluids, pigments, adhesives, liquid-cooled electric motors, fluorescent lights, plasticizers, and in de-inking carbonless copy paper.
It is this last use that now concerns us in Kalamazoo. Even decades before their ban, some knew that PCBs posed serious health risks with even minimal exposure. Others saw the tremendous commercial potential, hailing polychlorinated biphenyls as a break-though substance. According to legend, one Monsanto engineer declared PCB’s to be “as perfect as any industrial chemical can be.” Unfortunately, the very attributes for which mid-twentieth century industrialists valued polychlorinated biphenyls are the same that now pose a threat to us and the environment—high resistance to thermal and chemical breakdown.
Certainly, it is past time to begin river cleanup efforts and re-routing the river to dry-dredge the contaminated soil is currently the best option. Biological solutions—such as bacteria that eat PCBs—are at least a good ten years away from viable use. As of this writing, one key question about the plan that remains unanswered is this: If the proposal to dump sediment in the middle of three residential neighborhoods is merely phase one—approximately two percent of the total known contaminated sediment— where is the remaining sediment going to end up? In other words, if another Superfund containment site will eventually be needed, should it not be built now, closer to the contaminated area in Allegan County to minimize risks in transporting the toxins?
The EPA also seems uncomfortable answering this question: When is the eventual clean-up of the existing toxins going to occur at the Alcott/Cork site since it is ostensibly supposed to have been a temporary location? We should all be wary of Orwellian replies like, “We have to call it ‘temporary’ because it hasn’t been classified as ‘permanent’ yet.” It is also yet unclear what effects this plan will have on our municipal water system.
The EPA has insisted bringing the additional toxins into the community “poses no risk.” Perhaps. Let’s remember, though, in 1933, workers at the PCB manufacturing plant exhibited acne-like pustules, with some registering a loss of appetite, energy, and libido, as well as other skin ailments. Then, in 1936, scientists issued a report attributing the workers’ disease to “poor handling techniques” and the workers’ “natural laziness.”
Those in a position to profit from polychlorinated biphenyls and the products in which they were used, when faced with the choice of people and positive returns, far too often in the past opted for the latter. General Electric was not insensitive to the workers’ pain and disfigurement in 1937, and many executives at first concluded they had to “get rid of it—get it out of the plant.” This decision—easily said, not so easily done—would have forced the Wireworks to essentially close up shop. Ultimately, despite their personal ethics, the GE executives decided to continue using PCBs, understanding that doing so would mean problems would continue as well.
When the EPA first announced its intentions to truck and dump PCB contaminated soil from Plainwell in the middle of the City of Kalamazoo, there was no indication that the plan was anything other than a done deal.
The degree of organizing and outcry from our community thus far has been nothing short of amazing. Never before has a single issue galvanized all sectors of the community to fight what is so clearly a bad idea.
Now, in the face of mounting pressure, public backlash and some questions asked by high-level political officials, the EPA says they will conduct further “public dialogue” and communication about their plans. Yet they continue to stick to their talking points and give no sign of any serious reconsideration of their intentions. To date, none of the rationales the EPA has given for the plan can truly justify it. It continues to appear that they wish to truck the poison here because to save money for the potentially responsible parties, not because they should.
We must not let this happen. Kalamazoo will not accept the nickname “The Toxic City.”
Over the years, Kalamazoo has had several nicknames—the Burr Oak City, the Celery City, and the Debt-Free City, to name a few. By the 1930’s, the area was home to over fifteen paper mills, and Kalamazoo was dubbed the Paper City.
Around this time, the Swann Chemical Company began commercial production of polychlorinated biphenyls, or PCBs. In 1935, the Monsanto Industrial Chemical Company purchased Swann and continued PCB production until 1977. They were used in production of power transformers, capacitors, heat transfer systems, hydraulic fluids, pigments, adhesives, liquid-cooled electric motors, fluorescent lights, plasticizers, and in de-inking carbonless copy paper.
It is this last use that now concerns us in Kalamazoo. Even decades before their ban, some knew that PCBs posed serious health risks with even minimal exposure. Others saw the tremendous commercial potential, hailing polychlorinated biphenyls as a break-though substance. According to legend, one Monsanto engineer declared PCB’s to be “as perfect as any industrial chemical can be.” Unfortunately, the very attributes for which mid-twentieth century industrialists valued polychlorinated biphenyls are the same that now pose a threat to us and the environment—high resistance to thermal and chemical breakdown.
Certainly, it is past time to begin river cleanup efforts and re-routing the river to dry-dredge the contaminated soil is currently the best option. Biological solutions—such as bacteria that eat PCBs—are at least a good ten years away from viable use. As of this writing, one key question about the plan that remains unanswered is this: If the proposal to dump sediment in the middle of three residential neighborhoods is merely phase one—approximately two percent of the total known contaminated sediment— where is the remaining sediment going to end up? In other words, if another Superfund containment site will eventually be needed, should it not be built now, closer to the contaminated area in Allegan County to minimize risks in transporting the toxins?
The EPA also seems uncomfortable answering this question: When is the eventual clean-up of the existing toxins going to occur at the Alcott/Cork site since it is ostensibly supposed to have been a temporary location? We should all be wary of Orwellian replies like, “We have to call it ‘temporary’ because it hasn’t been classified as ‘permanent’ yet.” It is also yet unclear what effects this plan will have on our municipal water system.
The EPA has insisted bringing the additional toxins into the community “poses no risk.” Perhaps. Let’s remember, though, in 1933, workers at the PCB manufacturing plant exhibited acne-like pustules, with some registering a loss of appetite, energy, and libido, as well as other skin ailments. Then, in 1936, scientists issued a report attributing the workers’ disease to “poor handling techniques” and the workers’ “natural laziness.”
Those in a position to profit from polychlorinated biphenyls and the products in which they were used, when faced with the choice of people and positive returns, far too often in the past opted for the latter. General Electric was not insensitive to the workers’ pain and disfigurement in 1937, and many executives at first concluded they had to “get rid of it—get it out of the plant.” This decision—easily said, not so easily done—would have forced the Wireworks to essentially close up shop. Ultimately, despite their personal ethics, the GE executives decided to continue using PCBs, understanding that doing so would mean problems would continue as well.
When the EPA first announced its intentions to truck and dump PCB contaminated soil from Plainwell in the middle of the City of Kalamazoo, there was no indication that the plan was anything other than a done deal.
The degree of organizing and outcry from our community thus far has been nothing short of amazing. Never before has a single issue galvanized all sectors of the community to fight what is so clearly a bad idea.
Now, in the face of mounting pressure, public backlash and some questions asked by high-level political officials, the EPA says they will conduct further “public dialogue” and communication about their plans. Yet they continue to stick to their talking points and give no sign of any serious reconsideration of their intentions. To date, none of the rationales the EPA has given for the plan can truly justify it. It continues to appear that they wish to truck the poison here because to save money for the potentially responsible parties, not because they should.
We must not let this happen. Kalamazoo will not accept the nickname “The Toxic City.”
Friday, April 13, 2007
McCann quoted in MSNBC (WOOD-TV) article
"You need to stand between them from now until we end this fight," said commissioner Sean McCann to cheers, "and keep this out of our community."
To read the whole article, go to:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17919805/
To read the whole article, go to:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17919805/
Tuesday, April 3, 2007
Monday, February 12, 2007
2007 State of City Comments
Thank you Mayor McKinney, and I want to say how much I appreciate this opportunity from the Mayor to make an “officially sanctioned campaign speech” in February. I’ll try to be brief, but, as is commonly attributed to Thomas Jefferson in writing a letter to John Adams: “I apologize to you for the lengthiness of this letter; but I had no time for shortening it.”
But sincerely, it’s good that we take this time mid-term to reflect on where we’ve been, and think about where we’re going as a city. It’s a good chance to talk about some of our accomplishments, our immediate challenges, and our goals and vision for the short and long-term future.
So, briefly, I’d like to touch on the following:
• Where we’ve come since November 2005,
• The City’s Brownfield Redevelopment Program,
• What priorities the City should continue to promote,
• And, lastly, to talk a little about the future of our city.
2006 was the best budget process in my memory. I remember the 2005 elections and how some talked about how bleak the financial future of the City would be. But with the potential The Promise brings, as well as the hiring of Manager Collard who found a better way to do things, and the commission and staff support of that excellent effort, things took a positive turn. Though we will no doubt have financial challenges ahead, indeed, some not foreseen by the Five-Year fiscal plan, I think we will do OK, and continue to keep the city running effectively.
As well, let me just say how privileged I am to work with a great group of commissioners and appointees. We are lucky for the wonderful, dedicated city staff we have, (especially those who make it to our 7:30 Friday morning meetings)
On the topic of Brownfield Redevelopment, I see this activity much as an analogy to our own core-urban city. Using innovation, creativity and incentives, we clean, rebuild and strengthen ourselves – by reclaiming polluted sites, renovating and building anew, and thereby bringing jobs and a strengthened tax base to our city.
As I sat in the new downtown restaurant in the recently renovated United Building Saturday night with out-of-town guests, I talked with them about all of what was around us now compared to just ten years ago – the brownfields with new activity, the places to gather and live, the things to do that once were just ideas. It was amazing for all of us to see the amount of innovation and growth that Kalamazoo has realized.
The most notable recent accomplishments of the program include the 2006 completion of the new Parking Ramp at the corner of Portage and South Streets that can accommodate 220 parking spaces for the downtown area. And we know that this ramp is adjacent to the Rave Downtown Cinema a $30 million brownfield project that opened this fall.
Kalamazoo’s program has caused us to be seen as leaders in this endeavor and we can point to many great successes. We must continue and strengthen our efforts here.
Looking to the future, the City will continue development of the Davis Creek Business Park, clearing and visioning a future for the former Performance Paper site, continuing to push for riverfront mixed-use development along the former KTS site, and plan for the redevelopment of the former District Court/Public Safety site at Lovell and Rose
Our neighborhoods must be strong and healthy, now more than ever because of The Promise. Some of our neighborhoods will continue to need innovative thinking and resources devoted to them. We must strive to uphold a consistent standard of what is acceptable in our community, and we cannot accept as unchangeable that some Kalamazoo neighborhoods will always be challenged.
This very same sentiment applies to our citizens, from our most well off to those who are the most poor and vulnerable. I suggest this is a near-universal sentiment: that which to do to the least of us, we do to ourselves. In a time when compassion spoken does not always translate into action, it often falls to those of us closest to the challenge to do something about it, even though adequate resources may not be provided. We must continue to look for ways to create parity in the quality of life for the entire community. The Promise, as great as it is, will not benefit the child who drops out of school. We must address injustices at their root, not just their symptoms.
Two examples of this came to mind when a friend reminded me the other day that (Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.) spoke about how the “arc of justice” is long. I take solace in this truth when I recall my opposition to the two “Proposal Twos” – one of 2004 (same sex benefits) and one of 2006 (anti-affirmative action). Both proposals will represent steps backward in our society. But they are injustices and I will continue to spend my life working to overcome them. Someday, people will look back upon these as actions that did not help us move forward towards (as Pastor Felton often says) a Community of One.
I think the most important question to ask ourselves at this juncture in time is - what will our city look like in five to ten years? We’re using a Five-year Fiscal Plan, but I believe we also need a Five-year Future Plan. One that asks: Where can we go in 5 years? What do we want The Promise Community look like by then? Now that we may become a community of choice, what is the next level? What is “a role-model community” in respects besides education?
This visioning may be done with the knowledge and reality that many federal, state and local issues are out of our control. Federal resources continue to be mis-allocated. As well, we are starting to understand that health care costs are at the root of many of our other problems. I am hopeful that our country, state and local communities may undertake a national dialogue about the need for universal health care.
I’ve mentioned looking back and looking forward quite a bit because I’ve been privileged to serve seven-plus years now on the Commission. I like to say to people that because I can now be considered a long-time incumbent that if there are still any problems, then I can be blamed.
But, in all seriousness, I think that we as a community do an excellent job of putting our problems, mistakes and disagreements behind us quickly and move our focus back to where it belongs – moving Kalamazoo forward and working to be a successful, growing, and thriving community, with better quality of life for everyone.
As a personal experience, and from what I know from the many people who I call friends here in our community, we have a great community. And we are poised to go farther. Much farther, particularly with the help of The Kalamazoo Promise. We must continue to support The Promise any way we can.
I hope we’ll continue to engage in bold thinking and action about how we keep our community moving forward - and I’m proud and honored to be a part of it with all of the rest of us who desire the same thing.
Thank you.
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
Kalamazoo’s Downtown—How Far We’ve Come
by Sean McCann
Saturday night of New Year’s weekend started out no different than any other Saturday in Kalamazoo, but it ended up teaching me a very good lesson.
Some friends and I had made plans for dinner out followed by a movie downtown at the new Rave Theatre. We were to have dinner at 7:00 and then see the 8:30 showing of The Good Shepherd, which was released over a week before. We were running a few minutes late for dinner, but the newly expanded Martini’s was only a couple blocks away. Oops. When we got to Martini’s it was jam-packed, with people waiting. No way we would have time to eat and make it to the movie on time.
We went to “Plan B” and found a slightly less-crowded restaurant nearby. We managed to get through dinner with 10 minutes to spare before the show started, and we knew the theatre was close by. Hustling into the theatre during the previews, we found, to our surprise, a packed auditorium, compelling us to sit together in the second row. After the show I saw people I knew who remarked how nice it was to have the new theatre.
Later on, I reflected on my lesson learned. As a long-time patron of downtown, I have seen interest in what’s going on building slowly and steadily. Now, I suddenly realized, it’s getting very busy downtown. This is the wildest dream come true of a great many people.
In thinking about how far we’ve come downtown in just the past 10 years – I call it “remember when?” – I joke with anyone I meet who hasn’t been on an Art Hop yet that they were once well-kept secrets. Art Hops, which used to be nice, quiet affairs, are now practically automatic events on my calendar and the calendars of hundreds of others (thousands over the course of a year).
I also remark lately how much I love seeing the big crane downtown that is helping construct the new building by the Greenleaf Cos. for the Miller, Canfield, Paddock and Stone law firm. It is a symbol that downtown continues to have great forward momentum and is developing at a strong clip. But even the many smaller projects are critical – Martini’s being packed is a great example, as well.
Nothing exemplifies downtown’s progress more for me than when I show what’s new to Kalamazoo visitors, particularly those who haven’t been here in several years. The list is long: the Plazacorp redevelopments on the northeast of downtown, the renovations by Jon Stryker on the southeast, new entertainment venues by Ryan Reedy – including the soon-to-open Wild Bull; the City of Kalamazoo’s new Transit Center; the downtown mall and all its unique stores; the fantastic restaurants; the many renovated building facades; the museum and the library; helpful wayfinding signs; the Radisson renovations; the many lofts and housing opportunities; the Arcadia Festival Site; the State Theatre; the Civic Theatre; the Rave Theatre; and so much more.
I think the Rave Theatre bears special mention. How many other midsize urban cities have a brand-new, 14-screen multiplex movie theatre in their downtown? I continue to hear amazement from people who are unaware of it when I tell them about this downtown gem. When I take people there or ask those who have gone, the feedback is extremely positive. The Rave Theatre is such a tremendous accomplishment and asset to our downtown. I suspect it will, in hindsight, represent the point in time when Kalamazoo’s downtown took off and never looked back.
It also means that, from now on, I need to factor in a little more time when I want to take friends to dinner and a movie – downtown!
(City Commissioner Sean McCann lives in the historic Vine Neighborhood in Kalamazoo. A version of this artical was published in the Kalamazoo Gazette as a Viewpoint in January 2007.)
Saturday night of New Year’s weekend started out no different than any other Saturday in Kalamazoo, but it ended up teaching me a very good lesson.
Some friends and I had made plans for dinner out followed by a movie downtown at the new Rave Theatre. We were to have dinner at 7:00 and then see the 8:30 showing of The Good Shepherd, which was released over a week before. We were running a few minutes late for dinner, but the newly expanded Martini’s was only a couple blocks away. Oops. When we got to Martini’s it was jam-packed, with people waiting. No way we would have time to eat and make it to the movie on time.
We went to “Plan B” and found a slightly less-crowded restaurant nearby. We managed to get through dinner with 10 minutes to spare before the show started, and we knew the theatre was close by. Hustling into the theatre during the previews, we found, to our surprise, a packed auditorium, compelling us to sit together in the second row. After the show I saw people I knew who remarked how nice it was to have the new theatre.
Later on, I reflected on my lesson learned. As a long-time patron of downtown, I have seen interest in what’s going on building slowly and steadily. Now, I suddenly realized, it’s getting very busy downtown. This is the wildest dream come true of a great many people.
In thinking about how far we’ve come downtown in just the past 10 years – I call it “remember when?” – I joke with anyone I meet who hasn’t been on an Art Hop yet that they were once well-kept secrets. Art Hops, which used to be nice, quiet affairs, are now practically automatic events on my calendar and the calendars of hundreds of others (thousands over the course of a year).
I also remark lately how much I love seeing the big crane downtown that is helping construct the new building by the Greenleaf Cos. for the Miller, Canfield, Paddock and Stone law firm. It is a symbol that downtown continues to have great forward momentum and is developing at a strong clip. But even the many smaller projects are critical – Martini’s being packed is a great example, as well.
Nothing exemplifies downtown’s progress more for me than when I show what’s new to Kalamazoo visitors, particularly those who haven’t been here in several years. The list is long: the Plazacorp redevelopments on the northeast of downtown, the renovations by Jon Stryker on the southeast, new entertainment venues by Ryan Reedy – including the soon-to-open Wild Bull; the City of Kalamazoo’s new Transit Center; the downtown mall and all its unique stores; the fantastic restaurants; the many renovated building facades; the museum and the library; helpful wayfinding signs; the Radisson renovations; the many lofts and housing opportunities; the Arcadia Festival Site; the State Theatre; the Civic Theatre; the Rave Theatre; and so much more.
I think the Rave Theatre bears special mention. How many other midsize urban cities have a brand-new, 14-screen multiplex movie theatre in their downtown? I continue to hear amazement from people who are unaware of it when I tell them about this downtown gem. When I take people there or ask those who have gone, the feedback is extremely positive. The Rave Theatre is such a tremendous accomplishment and asset to our downtown. I suspect it will, in hindsight, represent the point in time when Kalamazoo’s downtown took off and never looked back.
It also means that, from now on, I need to factor in a little more time when I want to take friends to dinner and a movie – downtown!
(City Commissioner Sean McCann lives in the historic Vine Neighborhood in Kalamazoo. A version of this artical was published in the Kalamazoo Gazette as a Viewpoint in January 2007.)
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