Baytown residents have a beef to pick with their neighbor
05:36 PM CDT on Tuesday, August 22, 2006
By Dan Lauck / 11 News
When you live across the street from one of the largest refineries in the world days when the dark skies open up and wash the chemicals and tiny particles of soot from the air are good days.
So no one complained about the thunder or the downpour Tuesday morning when the residents of a low-income housing project gathered to began a public protest of their plight.
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Baytown residents claim the refinery in their neighborhood is causing them health problems
“The people of Archia courts have been living with the constant threats of explosions and various toxic releases coming from the Exxon-Mobil refinery,” said Hilton Kelly with In-Power Development Assn.
And the Baytown Housing Authority, they said, has done nothing to help them.
“We can’t just up and move. We’re in a trap and we need to get out of here,” said Debra Ann Profit.
Veronica Tate’s morning pills sat on the table, next to her breakfast.
The rest of her medicine was in the box. Medicine for asthma and skin diseases mostly.
“These are the things that I’ve started developing,” said Tate.
The housing development was built in the 40s.
Back then, living directly across the street from a refinery was regarded not so much as a health hazard, but as a convenience.
Even three years ago Archia courts was not a priority. Exxon offered to buy the property and the ex-housing director let it pass.
Now, it’s Jason Walton’s problem. “I know the residents are eager to move. We’re eager for them to move. Eager to close the whole thing out. I wouldn’t want to live there. I wouldn’t.”
Who would?
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