Pro-environment does not mean anti-business
By: LLoyd SmithA recent editorial in the Greater Wilmington Business Journal by Bob Warwick sported a title and numerous statements likening heavily polluting industry to hunting and fishing. By his account, both count not only as environmentalism but they are the patriotic duty of every responsible citizen.
If the cement business is like fishing, then the environment is like striped bass – only when Titan starts polluting our air and water to the legal limit there won’t be a catch and release option.
I believe that the savvy people of the Cape Fear region will recognize Mr. Warwick’s pro-economy posturing for what it is: His organization was created by Titan cement to seem like an independent advocate for the company, but it’s a fake. Who pays the bills, Mr. Warwick? I think we know.
I am a member of the board of directors of the Friends of the Lower Cape Fear, Inc. (FLCF), the group behind the StopTitan.org web site, which has been instrumental in giving citizens a voice through which to express their displeasure with the direction local officials are taking our city/county and our economy.
Our efforts are undertaken by the citizens, on behalf of the citizens and paid for by numerous small donations from citizens of New Hanover County. Call it what you will, Mr. Warwick, but around here it’s called the democratic process.
I am also a local entrepreneur, whose company has more than doubled in size both by new hires and by revenue since 2007.
The majority of the other members of the FLCF board are also either business owners or employees of large successful companies. We know a thing or two about business, Mr. Warwick.
Talk about donning an environmentalist cloak – Mr. Warwick yours looks very awkward. We would say that advocating for the environment (since it cannot fight for itself, and we depend on it for life and prosperity) is the responsible thing to do, but you seem to be saying that it is irresponsible to try to hold this project to the absolute highest environmental standard.
Our group has been clear that we are pro-business, but you and your public relations machine continue to take the same ridiculous stance that we want to “stop ... responsible economic development.” That assertion is completely unsupported.
While you advocate for the cement industry, we have formed a new council to actually advocate for our region’s economic future.
The Cape Fear Economic Development Council (capefearedc.org) intends to provide a vision for the future economic development of the Cape Fear region that builds on our already strong tourism, fisheries, film & television, pharmaceutical, medical device, software, electronics and related high-technologies.
CFEDC will specifically work to discourage high-impact/heavy
industry economic development that degrades the value of our natural resources, negatively impacts fisheries and tourism and detracts from the quality of life that entrepreneurs seek when considering a place to locate a business.
You say that NIMBY activists are having a stifling impact on economic development and that they control this “in-between process.” Is that what you call Titan’s lobbyists, working for the same firm as our illustrious former governor Easley?
Those activists pulled an elaborate rouse to have legislation introduced BY OUR ELECTED OFFICIALS sent to committee in the hope that it would never see a vote. That’s a distorted version of democracy, Mr. Warwick.
By the way, Mr. Odom, general manager of the as-yet-unpermitted Carolinas Cement, spoke too soon when he thanked the legislature for their cooperation with Titan and their lobbyists – the bill is in committee, not dead as you would like people to believe.
This debate is largely about jobs. Ask Vinton Fountain, head of the Wilmington Chamber of Commerce’s Cape Fear Future initiative.
The book Rise of the Creative Class by Dr. Richard Florida forms the basis of [an expensive] initiative by our local Chamber of Commerce clearly depicts the economic development course that Wilmington is on is symptomatic of a community that does not have what it takes to grow its economy responsibly.
I contend that it’s not too late, and we still have time to take a step back and rethink the plan to recruit the most damaging of industries. The plant as it is proposed will degrade the quality of life that attracts the low-impact businesses that form the foundation of our future economy.
The number of jobs promised is insignificant compared to the economics of smart development. Numerous scientific studies have shown that allowing this type of industry has significant potential for long-term economic contraction.
So, yes, Mr. Warwick – it IS about the economy. The verdict:
our economy just cannot afford this cement plant.
Lloyd Smith is president of Cortech Solutions, Inc. and vice chair of Friends of the Lower Cape Fear, Inc.
