Op-Ed: Isn’t it a Bit Ironic?

By Jessica Giannino

These are truly unprecedented times. COVID-19 continues to wreak havoc on our lives and safety. Tom Brady is no longer a Patriot. There’s a shortage of toilet paper. Hand sanitizer is as valuable as a semi-precious stone. And, if this wasn’t enough for you to take a moment to ponder the present, Earth Day was celebrated by Wheelabrator in Saugus. Let that sink in. What’s next? Upside down rain?

Earth Day was established to expose for-profit companies that bring turmoil and despair with little regard or benefit to communities or residents. It exists to spotlight companies that do not hold themselves accountable and flaunt their disregard for local, state and national pollution standards daily. And, Earth Day is our way of coming together to recognize that despite some progress in other areas, significant work remains.

Wheelabrator, with an ancient incinerator, unlined landfill and massive expansion plans, is laser focused on profit. In my opinion, the company never has, nor will it ever care about the health and welfare of the residents of Revere, Saugus, Lynn or the surrounding communities that are forced to live with the noxious odor, unbearable noise, toxic pot-ash and black billowing smoke that pollute our air and water.

Wheelabrator was supposed to be closed more 20 years ago. And yet, it remains open and seeks to aggressively expand its’ presence and operation in the area. While our cries for relief have fallen on deaf ears at the Department of Environmental Protection, I will never stop advocating for the safety and well-being of our district. You shouldn’t either. This is why I am asking you to join me and the Alliance for Health and the Environment #WatchingWheelabrator campaign and take a stand. Enough is enough.

I have stood with you to fight for this cause during my time on the Revere City Council, and as your next State Representative, I will continue to lead the fight for us all. Wheelabrator and companies like it must be held accountable.

To participate in the #WatchingWheelabrator campaign, just follow these four easy steps:

1. Take a time-stamped photo or video of anything concerning you see or hear at the Wheelabrator facility

2. Take note of the date and time you took the photo/video, as well as the location (address) of where you captured it

3. Post your photos/videos to Facebook or Twitter with the hashtags: #WatchingWheelabrator and #AllianceHealthEnvironment

4. Email the photo/video with the above details to: [email protected]

Jessica Giannino is a Councillor-at-Large for the City of Revere and a candidate for State Representative.

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