Asbestos Furor Unites Neighbors

Article Added May 5th, 2006 - Print This Story - Bookmark This Story

After more than 17 years of asbestos contention in Harford, residents and politicians are finally getting back to normal. The proposed dump of asbestos in the small town united neighbors, and drew dividing lines in the political arena.

The tiny St. James Church in Harford County was in danger of being inundated with asbestos. Residents of Harford were up in arms when they found out that not only was the church in danger, the whole town was proposed as a dump for asbestos. The residents banded together to stop the project and protect the town and church, which was founded by freed slaves and is still an anchor to the community. The case has been a series of peaks and troughs, making and breaking political careers, going to court almost a dozen times and using up millions of dollars in legal fees.

The rubble fill proposal has been combated for more than a decade by back and white neighbors, and the battle may continue. If the proposal director has the energy, Sherrulyn Ifill has the time. The lawyer has represented the community pro bono since 1994, and forecasts that the war is not yet won. The hope is that acknowledgement will be made that the location is not ideal, and that the project will just go away. But the battle that began in 1989 seems like it still has some gas left to it yet.

Article Added May 5th, 2006 - Print This Story - Bookmark This Story