MORGAN COUNTY Hoosier Act continues to live upto its name, as the group takes actions across the state in order to improve the lives Hoosiers around the world.
Hoosier Action, a member-led chapter-based organization, focuses on holding state and local officials accountable for pollution and contamination that affects residents of the county. The group was primarily concerned with housing for Morgan County residents during COVID.
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The group recently had a conversation about a number issues affecting Morgan County residents with State Senator Rodric Bray (R–Martinsville).
Tasha Coppinger, organizer of Morgan County’s chapter Hoosier Action, said that the group had developed a legislative agenda, which they brought to Bray.
Coppinger explained that the agenda was a collection issues that Coppinger and her team compiled after speaking with over ten million Hoosiers in the summer. “Morgan County is directly affected by a number of issues that are visible,” Coppinger stated.
Coppinger said that the issues covered everything from drug use to a lack of childcare to housing and environmental problems.
Hoosier Action has a major environmental concern: several toxic plumes, especially those located at Pike Street and Mulberry Streets, Martinsville. The Environmental Protection Agency just began a $12 Million cleanup.
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“We are truly dedicated to solving the problem, and we’d prefer it sooner than later.” David Schell, environment coordinator for Morgan County’s Hoosier Action Chapter, stated.
Schell stated that Bray seemed very interested to work together to solve the plume problems.
Coppinger stated to the Reporter-Times that “part of what was difficult about the plumes it that it’sn’t directly a legislative problem right now.” “I want to figure… how we can actually get legislature to give more funds to the Indiana Department of Environmental Management for cleaning up sites such as Martinsville.”
Coppinger stated they would be following up on Bray’s concerns about plumes in March and would pursue results for the other concerns in their agenda sooner.
Schell stated that the end result and our intention is to clean up the plumes, to eliminate or eliminate any chance of people getting cancer or neurological disorders that have been directly linked to it by EPA.
Schell stated that the EPA’s plan calls for the plumes to be completely eliminated by 30 years.
Schell stated, “We would love something much sooner than that… two- or three years at best.”
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Coppinger said, “We want to see Martinsville’s plumes cleaned up, and we also want this to stop happening across the entire state.” “Every Hoosier (should) have clean air and water, and soil. They should be able to inhale the air in their house without getting sick.”
Schell pointed out that there were four plumes at Martinsville, but many more were scattered throughout the state.
Schell said, “There are fifty-seven additional of them in Indiana.” “I hope that the community understands that there are a lot of people who… will not allow it to continue as it has been for the past thirty years.”
He said, “We are determined to take action.” “We care about this and we will do something about that too.”
Coppinger encourages citizens and others to contact their representatives, ask them questions, and keep abreast of developments.
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Coppinger stated that “I believe our legislatures aren’t hearing enough from everyday citizens.” “They don’t hear enough from people who are just trying to live a normal life in the community. Everyone deserves to hear my opinion.”
For more information on Hoosier Action and how to get involved, contact Coppinger at [email protected] or call/text (740) 274-5444.
Contact Reporter-Times reporter Grace Phillips at [email protected] or at 765-346-4815
This article was originally published on The Reporter Times. Hoosier Action voices concerns about Indiana housing and environment
