Concerned Citizens against Crematorium meet with Mayor and Council Member
By: Jose G. Landa, Copyright 2015, Eagle Pass Business Journal, Inc.
A local group of concerned citizens met with Eagle Pass Mayor Ramsey English Cantu and Councilwoman Gloria E. Hernandez on Monday, February 23, 2015, at the Benavides Heights Community Center to further elaborate their health and environmental concerns, quality of life issues, and real property devaluation concerns regarding the construction of a crematorium at El Indio Highway in Eagle Pass by local funeral home Valdez & Sons.
These concerned Eagle Passans first addressed the City Council during the Citizens Communication of the agenda during the February 19, 2015 meeting. City Council members agreed to meet with these concerned citizens to learn more about their concerns and issues.
During the town hall meeting, Mayor Cantu and Councilwoman Hernandez listened attentively to the over 30 residents that had gathered to voice their concerns over the proposed crematorium at the Valdez & Sons Funeral Chapels on El Indio Highway.
“We don’t want to be anybody’s guinea pigs. We don’t want to be the test,” said a concerned citizen. Concerned citizens raised the issue that crematoriums use mercury and emit it through their incinerators smokestack when cremating human bodies. The citizens stated that mercury is a carcinogenic and stays in the atmosphere for long periods of time. The citizens noted that the location where the crematorium is being built is a densely (heavily) populated residential area with many children and elderly living within a close proximity to the facility.
One of the residents noted that a big issue that have with the City of Eagle Pass was the lack of notice to the residents that this crematorium was going to be built and to give them an opportunity to object or protest it before the granting of the permits. “We come to you with our concerns, concerns that we feel are truly justified. If there had been notification to the home owners around the area over this issue maybe we would not be here,” said a concerned resident. The citizens raised the issue how come the City of Eagle Pass always provides notice to neighboring residents whenever a zoning or construction project is proposed, but not on the crematorium. The citizens believe and argue that someone at the City of Eagle Pass dropped the ball and failed to notify the citizens concerning this project.
“This is a strong delicate issue concerning people’s health. Our investigation into the process shows that there are escaped mercury emissions from such facility. No matter how small the emissions it accumulates,” said another resident. Scientists have documented mercury is a known carcinogenic agent. The citizens stated they do not want their children and elderly to be exposed to this toxic carcinogenic agent-mercury.
Mayor Cantu did express his concern and stated that in regards to the notification process that at current time there is not an ordinance set in place that governs such permits dealing with crematoriums. “Under the acting permits of the City of Eagle Pass, we are seeing under the ordinances section 17. It only requires a business permit. It does not specify anything involving a crematorium. We as a municipality do not govern them. That is through the state,” said Mayor Cantu.
Cantu did assure the residents that they will be checking into the proper steps to take in addressing those issues at the city level.
“At present time, the city’s legal department is checking up on the issue to set the proper course of actions to correctly address through ordinances to see what exactly can be done about situations just like this one. The notification was not presented to the City Council. These permits have been in place for some time,” said Cantu.
Cantu explained that there are issues such as this type of permits that could be required through the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) for such operation and if they are to be adhered to if needed.
“I do say that the permit that has been issued through us is from when the funeral home opened. There was no permit for a crematorium under that permit because we don’t govern those permits. And under the acting ordinances there is nothing in place that will allow us to govern such things,” said Cantu.
Councilwoman Hernandez stated that they were asking legal counsel to explore an ordinance to address these issues and similar situations.
Another resident stated that it was understood if the funeral home had set everything in place, they had every right to build the facility but that he just wanted for the proper authorities to hear their (residents) arguments and concerns.
Mayor Cantu did state that this type of issue is the first of its kind for the City of Eagle Pass and they are trying to figure out what’s right for all parties.
Another resident complained as to the process they were expected to follow. “Even for small improvements to our homes we need to go and get approval from the surrounding neighbors on any improvements or building to be done at their homes as part of the building permits process.”
The resident further added that it was unbelievable that this business was not held to the same standard as they are. “I ask myself when did this person come to our houses and ask if we were ok with his decision to build and if that crematorium was going to affect me and my health,” said a resident.
Both representatives assured the residents that all options needed to be looked at in order to see an outcome through on the citizen’s concerns as far as their rights and also the rights of the business owner who has a right to conduct free enterprise as long as it is being done according to the laws that govern these issues.
Mayor Cantu noted that the owner had presented all documentation and that it is up to date, however, not all state required permits have been granted as of yet.
Cantu and Hernandez noted that the residents would be kept up to date on the issue and asked the residents in attendance to continue voicing their concerns because they as residents are the ones who govern the city.
Some concerned residents stated they are going to seek legal counsel to assist them with their concerns and determine if all the legal process and permits were followed concerning the crematorium facility.
