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Dear Editor,
The citizens of Jefferson County should be
encouraged by the recent
actions of Commissioner Russ Maple and Fiscal Court for standing up to the
"environmental extremists" and changing the
"erosion-control" law. The so called
"environmentalists" have had it their way for far too long and
at the expense of most average citizens of this community.
The environmental extremists act and speak as
though they are the only ones concerned about our environment, and if you
don't go along with their agenda you must be against protecting the
environment. That notion is as absurd as many of the
"extremist" positions they take and the burden that is
placed on ordinary citizens as a result.
The vehicle emissions test (VET) is another issue
that Jefferson County
Fiscal Court must address. It's another example of environmental
extremism
that is an unnecessary burden to the citizens of Jefferson County.
Vet testing nets minimal or no benefit to our environment. Over 95%
of approximately 440,000 vehicles tested for excess emissions pass the
test well below the standard. (Just look at your last
"compliance certificate".) It has long been proven that it is
the technology and design of vehicles that reduces vehicle emissions, not
VET testing. This trend toward cleaner cars continues, and today we
are seeing "hybrid" vehicles on our streets with "fuel
cell" powered vehicles coming in the near future.
I applaud Commissioner Maple and the rest of
Fiscal Court for their willingness to be reasonable regarding our
environment and the citizens of
Jefferson County will continue to speak out for relief from the extremist
positions regarding VET testing. I also appreciate those in our
community who work hard to protect our environment; however, those
extremists that insist on their way or no way must understand that those
of us who oppose their extremist positions are not at all
anti-environment. We are
environmentally sensitive, but we do resent your extreme attitude and the
costs and burdens on average citizens that go with them.
Please end VET testing as other communities have done
already and let's
all continue to seek reasonable and cost effective solutions to protecting
our environment.
Sincerely,
John M. Riley
Member of Stop the VET
Louisville, KY 40222
502-425-5783
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