April 21, 2016
Mr. Michael Larson
Cascade Investments, LLC
2365 Carillion Point
Kirkland, Washington 98033
Dear Mr. Larson:
The people of my hometown—Wayne County,
Georgia—need your help. We aren’t seeking money. We are
requesting something much more important. We want your assistance in
protecting our health and environment in Southeast Georgia. As a
director of Republic Services, you can stop the company’s plan to
dump trainloads of toxic coal ash into our fragile ecosystem.
Currently, Central Virginia Properties, LLC has
an application before the Corps of Engineers seeking to trample 25
acres of wetlands at Republic’s Broadhurst Environmental Landfill.
If the Corps approves the massive rail-spur permit request, the
floodgate will be opened to a proposed 10,000 tons of toxic coal
ash—per day—to be dumped in Wayne County. We could become a
national experiment to see just how much pollution can be piled in
one place. Enclosed is information that will explain how
catastrophic this risk will be.
As I explained to Republic’s Russ Knocke at
the Jesup public meeting on March 16th, the Harvard
Business School couldn’t find a better example for a case study on
how to mangle a corporate strategy. Republic has lost its goodwill
in our community, and our citizens have lost all trust in the
company. Your company has assured us the toxic-coal-ash liners won’t
leak. Sorry, we have no faith in that claim.
We are constantly reminded: “Republic is a $9
billion corporation. The world’s richest man, Bill Gates, is its
largest stockholder.” We are a tiny community, but we find
inspiration in the success of David versus Goliath. We weren’t
looking for a fight, but Republic gives us no choice. Public outcry
is ramping up across America. The national news media are taking a
keen interest in our story. Reporters know that if this
environmental nightmare can happen in Wayne County, it can happen in
Anywhere, USA. I encourage you to read Janisse Ray’s essay, for
example, on BitterSoutherner.com.
Also enclosed is a letter that I wrote to Mr.
Gates. I hope that, as his chief investment officer, you will
encourage him to hear our plea: “Please, don’t contaminate our
lives—forever—with toxic coal ash.” Time is of the
essence. I urge you to let our voices be heard at the board table of
Republic Services.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
Dink NeSmith
Enclosures
