Residents of the Gurley, Hampton Cove, and McMullen Cove areas are not just opposing the quarry on environmental and health-related grounds. They also oppose the quarry based on "quality-of-life" grounds. We continue our coverage of comments made in the recent ADEM hearing with more comments made by residents at that meeting.
Husband and wife stand united in quarry opposition
Forrest Newton stated that he moved to Gurley because he felt it to be a beautiful area. He added that he thought that the state protected the people, asking, "Who's representing the homeowners?" His wife Cindy added that she "wants to have a say in what goes on in [her] backyard," stating that the 4,000 families affected would like to have a vote on the issue.
School teacher: "You can buy my house!"
Joseph Belles, who along with his wife teaches at Madison County Elementary School, stated that even though he is not originally from this area, his wife is from Gurley. When they married, she drew a three mile circle on the map around the town of Gurley and stated that was where she wanted their house to be located. Belles stated that he loved the view driving to and from work each day of the mountains and the people enjoying Gurley Recreation Center. Belles stated at the meeting, "We do not want you (Vulcan) to run your business here!" He added that if Vulcan does get the permit to operate, "You can buy my house!"
Former Miss Gurley finds out about Vulcan's good neighbor policy
Gurley residents found themselves in opposition of another quarry back in 2003. During that fight, Mary Louise Stowe was researching what state guidelines said about quarries close to schools. Srowe, who was Miss Gurley back in 1965, said that as part of that investigation, she contacted Vulcan, who said that they did not have any quarries that close to a school in Alabama, and then added that it would not be good to be that close, stating that it would be a violation of their good neighbor policy.
Gurley residents want a good quality of life. They believe that having the Vulcan Materials rock quarry that close to their town will negatively impact that quality of life.
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