To the Editor:

We wish we could say farewell to our dependence on poisonous petroleum products that power our motor vehicles and boats. And, we would really like to say “adios” to the Wells gas station that was closed for six years and now is preparing to reopen on a triangular patch of property within the borders of Wareham Road, Wells Road, Mill Street and some wetlands.

However, because a senior healthcare facility (Sippican Healthcare) and a senior/handicapped housing complex (Marconi Village) are abutters; we first have to say “so long” to our outdated perception about the elderly and the handicapped. NO! It is not okay to view us as expendable and unworthy residents by simply deeming the area where we live a “sacrifice zone,” out of sight, out of mind. It is easy for these profiteers to ignore us when they do not live in the neighborhood.

As senior citizens, we should not have to bear the disproportionate burden for toxic pollution at the hands of those who will make a quick profit. There are no benefits for us, only the external costs of a gas station: the fumes, the traffic, the tailpipe emissions, the glaring lights and the inescapable noise. Yes, it is easier to ignore the elderly and handicapped for many of us are too old and too weak to fight big corporate gas stations, but those of us with the ability will carry on the struggle in the name of environmental justice.

We invite the pastors of our local churches, the Marion and Massachusetts Departments of Health, the Executive Office of Elder Affairs, the Department of Environmental Protection and Coastline Elderly Services to connect with us and take a toxic tour and evaluate the potential human health risks from exposures to chemicals in the ambient air because the risk, or probability, of developing adverse effects increases with intensity and frequency of exposure to these harmful chemicals.

We have to change our thinking, just because we are elderly and/or physically handicapped does not give anyone the right to disrespect, disregard or devalue us as human beings. Rather than a gas station pushing poisonous chemicals within 100 feet of our front yard, we suggest installing a quiet, non-polluting, clean energy producing solar farm on that property.

Sincerely,

Eileen J. Marum,

Marconi Village