Niagara Falls, N.Y. (WBEN) - What a difference one week can make.
The state-presented July 20 community meeting that centered on reports of homes in the Military Park area in the Town of Niagara having record levels of radioactive contaminated materials in their backyards, front yards and inside the house was one filled with anger, angst and frustration that only grew stronger because of government techno-speak that provided no answers and limited public participation.
But fast forward to Monday night's meeting, presented by the Save Our Backyards Niagara all-volunteer committee and what was there was a classic case study in civics and how to run a peaceful, informational meeting.
Brief presentations were made by local environmental attorney and author Christen Civiletto and Diane D'Arrigo, Nuclear Information & Resource Service radioactive waste project director. But the heart-and-soul of the two-hour meeting were heartfelt presentations by four homeowners most impacted - Lexi Hawk, Carolyn Johnson, Jackie Linkowski and Kellie Motyka.
Each briefly spoke and then fielded questions from the more than 200 people who crowded in a Starbucks inside the Wyndham Garden Hotel in Niagara Falls.
The four homeowners all told familiar tales of buying what they thought were their dream and forever homes only to find out earlier this year, each had record levels of materials, dirt and soil filled with radioactive contamination going back decades.
"I feel betrayed," Carolyn Johnson said. "How could they keep this a secret for so long."
Homeowners were notified in March from state officials that their homes were ground zero for radioactive contamination. At first, the state would not do further testing unless homeowners signed waivers holding the state, the federal government, private sector manufacturers and others harmless against any potential legal action or liability.
Nobody signed the waiver.
Following a July 10 press conference from the homeowners, the waiver requirement was dropped.
Still, many are living in their contaminated homes because state and federal officials have been slow to find new places to live for the families.
"No family should have to go through weeks of no answers," Lexi Hawk said.
"We all have a right to know," Carolyn Johnson added.
What the homeowners want is for Gov. Kathy Hochul to declare their Town of Niagara neighborhood a Class 1 Superfund site. New York has a strong Superfund program while the federal one - created by President Carter in response to the Love Canal environmental disaster - has been largely gutted by the Trump administration.
"It is like a punch to the gut," Jackie Linkowski said. "Imagine finding out your beloved home is radioactive."
Linkowski said Save Our Backyards Niagara is not going to back down.
"We will not shut up," Linkowski said.
Homeowners are pressing New York State to declare impacted properties as Superfund sites
Homeowners are pressing New York State to declare impacted properties as Superfund sites
