Blackford County Concerned Citizens Newsletter March 2015

March 2015

A newsletter of Blackford County Concerned Citizens developed in partnership with the Hoosier Environmental Council

In This Issue

Film Screening

Successful Workday

April 25th Workshop

Soil Testing

Legislative Session

BCCC Mission

The mission of Blackford County Concerned Citizens is to improve the quality of life of Blackford County, Indiana residents by reducing the incidence of diseases, primarily through citizen action to investigate the diseases that are prevalent and by advocating to have these diseases investigated.

You are Invited to a Film Screening

Join WIPB and Cancer Services - Little Red Door of East Central Indiana for a free preview screening of the PBS documentary series produced by Ken Burns, CANCER: THE EMPEROR OF ALL MALADIES. The preview will feature compelling segments from all three parts of the series which will air on WIPB at 9 PM March 30, 31 and April 1.

FREE SCREENING!

WHEN: 3-5 p.m. Sunday, March 22
WHERE: Kennedy Library, 1700 W. McGalliard Road, Muncie

Successful Workday

IPFW students put in hours of research at the Blackford County Historical Society.

Saturday, February 21, was a successful workday for BCCC despite a snowstorm. Dr. Steiner's Environmental Sociology class from IPFW worked with Dr. Frank and 4 Blackford County volunteers to research industrial locations, collect GIS readings, and take video footage. Thank you to all the county residents who took time out of their day to spend time with the students and to Common Grounds for feeding the whole crew and to the library, the Historical Society, and the Wesleyan Church for hosting.

April 25th Workshop

From 10 AM to noon on Saturday, April 25, Blackford County Concerned Citizens will host a public information workshop at Hartford City Hall with refreshments to follow. The IPFW students will be presenting their maps of the county's industrial history and their videos documenting BCCC's well testing project and collaboration with the university. Dr. Frank will provide an update on research into environmental exposures that can increase the risk of cancer or neurologic disease.

Soil Testing

The glass industry often used arsenic and lead to improve the appearance of the glass. Environmental engineering firm EnviroForensics is donating their time to help test soil at old glass factory sites to find out whether the factories left arsenic and lead behind in the soil. They have also brought in donations from their business partners Pine Environmental and Envision Laboratories. The testing is planned for the end of March. BCCC's 3 �-minute video about the project is available on YouTube.

The Legislature is in Session

If you are interested in updates on environmental issues under consideration by the Indiana legislature, go to HEC's Bill Watch 2015 page.

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