The circled area above contains the 40+ acres in question.

Point B on the above map. Peppers Tree Service says that immediate plans call for 10 acres to be clear-cut and filled in.

Point C on the map, note the beaver hutch. All the trees will be gone if the area is rezoned.

Point D, this creek eventually feeds into the Cahaba.

Point E, Here the creek has just exited under the railroad toward the Cahaba.

Here is the talk Ted gave at the April 8 public hearing of the Irondale planing and zoning commission.

"I was raised on alton road by my grandparents, and I have seen it change over the years. I remember when there were only a couple of businesses on the road between highway 78 and highway 11. There was no landfill or cement plant, and no constant flow of speeding dump trucks and other large trucks. Now it seems that eventually there will be a place of business on every acre of roadfront. It seems we are going the way of Atlanta.

About the request for rezoning approval. This is land which my uncle calls "a swamp," which environmentalist call wetlands. As you probably know, wetlands are low lying ecosystems which serve an important role in natural water purification processes. Wetlands are also important to certain migratory waterfowl, such as herons, pelicans and geese. Of course I know all this from watching Dr. Doug Phillips on the Discovering Alabama television show.

But also my wife and I have seen some of these birds on occasion. A couple of months ago we saw a large heron take flight near our backyard, and it was magnificent. We live in a time of environmental crises. One day we may have to stand before our creator and explain why we were part of the problem, and not the solution. That is why we have come here today, to speak for the birds, animals and trees who cannot speak for themselves. We urge this council to vote against this rezoning, or to at least consider a delay so more study can be done."

Here is the talk Denise gave.

"As I am part Cherokee, I believe that God has made us caretakers of our Mother Earth. I believe the trees, birds and all creatures are part of God, and are aware of what's going on around them. The trees, birds and animals will cry when they see the people coming with the chainsaws. Somewhere we must draw the line and say enough cutting, enough pollution for this area. We must listen to our hearts. We have an obligation both to ourselves and to future generations."

We also argued about the traffic safety aspect. According to Jefferson County traffic engineer Bob Shaw there should be for safety reasons a 440 ft line of sight distance in each direction from the driveway of the business. It is only 180 ft from the driveway to the bridge, and there is a drop off at the end of the bridge. Probably over 100 dump trucks and 18 wheelers cross the bridge daily, many of them are speeding.

Time is short. Please help us save this sacred land. It's the patriotic thing to do!

Email us at AIM Alabama

Visit Mother Earth Warrior Society.