Citizens raise concerns over installation of Crematorium
By: Jose G. Landa, Copyright 2015, Eagle Pass Business Journal, Inc.
A group of over 25 concerned citizens addressed the Eagle Pass City Council during their February 19, 2015 meeting regarding the construction and installation of a crematorium at a local funeral home located on El Indio Highway inside the City of Eagle Pass limits and the lack of notification from the business owners and the City concerning said crematorium.
Four members of the citizens’ group spoke during the Citizens Communication agenda of the City Council meeting to express their concerns regarding the lack of notice and potential environmental contamination emanating from the crematorium.
Eagle Passan Liliana Gutierrez presented the citizens’ compliant letter to City Council and read it into the record stating the following: “We, the concerned residents are requesting a special meeting of the City of Eagle Pass, the Planning and Zoning Commission, the Fire Marshal Inspector, and all other stake holders involved in approving permits, licenses, etc. As concerned citizens and neighbors, we met on February 8, 2015 to voice our concerns on the crematory unit at Valdez and Sons Chapel on 2234 El Indio Highway, Eagle Pass, Texas. All involved in signing signatures of the meeting are to attest as one voice. No. 1: No to the crematory unit at Valdez and Sons Chapel. No.2: purpose we are a group of citizens with a concern who urge city leaders to act and eliminate the crematory unit at Valdez and Sons Chapel. No.3: petition for and to a crematory unit will cause our property values to decrease and our area will be the first one to be contaminated with toxins from the process used to cremate cadavers. It will only take a few months to see the decrease in real estate value and the increase of contamination, sickness and disease. No.4: In formation, we will be asking citizens of Eagle Pass for their support and to go to the city leaders and present our petition. We need to act now because later will be too late especially since proper notification was not given to surrounding property owners by the crematory owners or legal entities. Their action left property owners without an opportunity to oppose or voice their concerns. We need supporters to sign, assist the meetings, and to spread the word about the tremendous property devaluation and potential health concerns that the crematory unit will cause. No. 5: We contend: a) The location and use for this location which is close to a residential zoned area if allowed to operate will be a nuisance and will have a significant impact on the properties and citizens around the crematory. It will further deny citizens’ enjoying our homes, affecting our quality of life and negatively affecting our property values. b) That we are knowledgeable about the State of Texas Constitutional Land Use, but not at the expense or harm of surrounding property owners and by creating a nuisance. No.6 Documents: We are actively and successfully finding support for our concerns which we will present to you at the special meeting. We ask that this matter be given your immediate attention. Your responsiveness to the city’s concern thus far in your term of office makes us certain that you will give equal weight to our concern,” read Gutierrez.
Another citizen who addressed City Council was Fred Rico, Jr.. Rico stated that he and the concerned citizens object to the installation of the crematorium at the El Indio Highway location so close to a large residential subdivision. Rico stated that “It is installed within 50 feet of the first primary residence.”
Rico advised City Council that a major concern of the citizens group is the emission of Mercury into the air and which may escape from the crematorium. “It is very toxic, no matter what type of crematory unit you use,” said Rico.
Rico noted that according to the U.S. Center for Disease Control (CDC), mercury lingers in the air and environment for many months after its release into the air and/or environment. “Once that happens, in some cases in as little as two months, you begin to see health issues, based on CDC and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) research studies,” said Rico.
“I would really appreciate Council, Mayor if you could support us. We don’t need to harm others .We can do whatever we want on our property to benefit from our property but without harming others. There are schools around, and the parents are going to find out. They will be notified. They need to know. We are going to notify them because they have the right to know. And if they complain they have the right to complain as well and object to this crematory unit,” said Rico to City Council.
Rico stated that he understands that cremation is an option in funeral services but that he feels that installation of a crematorium such as the one in question have their place. “There’s a place for it, but not behind our backyard,” said Rico. “I expect for Council to understand what’s right,” added Rico.
Eagle Pass Mayor Ramsey English Cantu noted that he had met with Rico upon his citizen’s request and the documentation presented by Rico to him is being shared with and disseminated with City Council members for their review and consideration. Mayor Cantu noted that City Council will be responding to their request in the near future.
Eagle Passan Norma Negrete also addressed City Council and stated she was speaking in defense of children and women and their concerns regarding the health issues arising from the installation and operation of a crematorium at the entrance of Rancho Escondido Subdivision. Negrete also stated there are many issues arising from the installation of a crematorium in a densely populated residential area in the community. “We are asking you to reconsider and to go back and look for more information and see how you can help us,” said Negrete. Negrete noted she was giving a vocal voice to children and women in the community concerning this issue.
Eagle Passan Ramon Solis stated that he has lived in the area in question for over 25 years and was utterly disappointed that the City of Eagle Pass failed to give notice to the residents concerning the installation of a crematorium in a residential area. “Why wasn’t I notified? If I’m notified that there is going to be a trash pickup, why can’t I be notified that something like this is going to go on? I’m concerned not only because of the devaluation of property values but because of the toxins and all of that. I need to know who approved these permits. So who approved these permits, I want to know. That is my right as a citizen. I am asking you Mayor and City Council for your support. I need to know what’s going on. I would like for you all to look into it and investigate. I do want that unit out of there. The way they put it in they can take it out. We were never advised and that is not right, I don’t think so,” said Solis.
Solis noted that the City of Eagle Pass always sends letters of notification to citizens who may be possibly affected by certain construction, zoning or city projects, but citizens were never notified by the City nor the business of the proposed construction and installation of a crematorium within the City limits in a heavily populated residential area. “I always get advised of everything. I always get letters from the City, but now this time no letters, what’s going on,” said Solis.
Another citizen, Alma Solis, stated she had called the Texas Funeral Service Commission and spoke to the commissioner in charge, Jeff Morales. “He has stated that although we have a valid concern due to how close the crematorium is to residential areas, the Texas Funeral Service Commission does not care about property values and/or contamination. He also stated that as long as the person has a funeral directors license with a funeral home where the crematorium is going to be located, they will issue the permit to fire up the incinerator,” said Alma Solis. “Morales further stated that this is a local issue. That the only ones who could help the local citizens are the city council and the mayor,” noted Alma Solis to City Council.
Alma Solis stated that cremations are on the rise as an economical alternative in comparison to a regular burial and for that reason it is believed that more cremations will be done in the future within the community. She added that the opening of this crematorium within the City limits and jurisdiction will establish a precedent for other funeral homes to open other crematoriums within the City limits.
The concerned citizens group requested a meeting with Mayor Cantu and City Administration to review their concerns and whether the proper process was followed.
Mayor Cantu thanked all the citizens for attending the City Council meeting and voicing their concerns and requested City Administration to set up a meeting with the residents as soon as possible.
