The Blimp Story

The Dept. of Environmental Conservation (DEC) ALJ was scheduled to hold an Issue's conference in July. We really needed to Get People Out! We did a mass mailing of all our members and friends of SPOC, approx. 200. (who by the way are there when we need them, but the organization is run by just a very few hard working souls) We wanted to have something to really impact the height of the proposed expansion of the Landfill. 200 ft doesnt sound like much, but if you can SEE 200 feet..and how high it is...it sure makes an impression. Soooo...in a brainstorming mtg someone said we should put up a weather balloon....and we took it from there. I did research as to where we could rent, borrow or buy one..etc..and we did purchase a sizeable one from somewhere in the Carolina's (I can find that out if need be)...

We placed the bright yellow and red Blimp in the back yard of a member who lives directly in front of the proposed expansion and the existing closed landfill(we were very careful, mind you, we did not need punctures in a $550.00 item) We ordered helium tanks and filled it up and measured it off at 200 ft. and up it went. We took it down every nite..(otherwise we would have needed a blinking light) and up again every morning.

It got press attention...and cars blew their horns as they passed by. A huge sandwich board sign in front of the house explained that the blimp was up 200ft..the height of the proposed landfill.

I have to tell you....it was amazing. 200 feet is a long, long way up!!! it was a very good eye catching way of showing this.

Meeting nite came.....and over 300 people showed up at the meeting. Over 50 had very serious things to say as to why there should be no expansion. Only one person spoke out for the landfill. He was an employee of WMI from a nearby town. (figures).

So that is the Blimp Story. "