Oak Ridge Scary stuff (Kingston: university, calculated, inspections)

[JMT]

Originally Posted by Chrisgirl

Wow, I am glad I came across this info. We were looking to move to OR for employment and now I'm not so sure. We came to visit a few weeks ago and we visited the elementary schools and were pleased with what we saw. Everyone we met was very nice and said they loved living in OR. I wish I had known about the environmental issues before we went so I could talk to some people in person. I have done some research and there is scary stuff, yet from what I can find, the cancer rates are equal to or below the national average. I did call someone today who works for the city and he pointed me to some other sites to check out, but he told me the air quality is horrible and there is great toxic pollution. He actually said he wants to move as soon as he can. The chamber of commerce put out a beautiful book about OR and says the air and water are safe. I'd love to get some feedback from those who live or have lived in OR, especially those who work at ORNL. Thank you!

I wouldn't let that scare you away. Just because you work in Oak Ridge doesn't mean you have to live there (or play in the dirt there, haha). From what I understand, the majority of people who work at ORNL actually live in Knox County.

I know that the cancer rates in Oak Ridge are supposedly on par with the rest of the country. But I can say this: I personally don't know that many people who have had cancer, but every single one of them has lived in Oak Ridge at some point in their lives.

[bbkaren]

Just to put it in perspective, how many people is that, JMT?

And, do you live near OR (i.e. are these people from the Oak Ridge area, or are you close enough that it's typical that folks in that area spend at least some time in Oak Ridge?)

[hiknapster]

Sounds like someone that bought land that is possibly sitting on an Oak Ridge aquifer is getting defensive.

Here's an excellent blog that keeps a watch on all things ORNL.

knoxnews.com | Frank Munger's Atomic City Underground

[JMT]

Originally Posted by bbkaren

Just to put it in perspective, how many people is that, JMT?

And, do you live near OR (i.e. are these people from the Oak Ridge area, or are you close enough that it's typical that folks in that area spend at least some time in Oak Ridge?)

Well like I said, it's not many. Only four people. But I've lived all over the world and all over the US. The only people I have ever known personally to get cancer have all lived in Oak Ridge at some point. One fellow lived and worked in Oak Ridge for 40 years and got three different kinds of cancer. He died about 2 years ago.

As I have stated here before, I used to live in Oak Ridge myself. It's a very nice area, certainly nestled in some beautiful countryside. The city is full of some very smart people. I worked for a company that is making a lot of money cleaning up the toxic waste around Oak Ridge. I saw the documents that showed what all is in the dirt and water around there. Granted, all that toxic waste might also be in Anytown USA and not just in Oak Ridge, I don't know. But I do know what I saw, and it was enough to make me high-tail it out of there. Since there was no compelling reason for me to stay there, I figured why should I? If being scared of all that toxic waste makes me a Chicken Little, then just call me Chicken Little.

On the other hand, if Oak Ridge were ever bombed, the people there would never know it, while those of us in Knoxville are far enough away that we would live long enough to see our skin disintegrate. Oh well.

[bbkaren]

hik, maybe I'm paranoid...were you referring to me?

Just in case you are, just for the record I'm not being defensive:

1. I'm not very quick to jump on the hysteria bandwagon, regardless of the circumstances
2. I'm sincerely interested in the statistics behind JMT's post--unlike a bunch of drama from liberal press, JMT's someone I'm acquainted with and can give me some insight I can trust.

Just for the record, my land's on the Loudon border, not very near Oak Ridge. And as I've mentioned before, I doubt anything in Oak Ridge is gonna do anything to me that NJ hasn't already!

[Beretta]

I wanted to share with you all a book that I absolutely adore. I keep a tiny mini-book on my desk, in my car and on a special piece of furniture in my kitchen. It is called The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz. There are 4 principles of which Mr Ruiz promotes as a practical guide to personal freedom.

The Second Agreement is: "Don't Take Anything Personally". I actually have the ribbon bookmark and charm that comes with the book in that exact agreement right now as I open it. It is one of the things that I have to work on and this book is helping me live a fuller, richer life from following the 4 agreements.

You all are neat, wonderful people.

[gemkeeper]

I would like to get a copy of that book for myself, SmokyMtnGal. It sounds like something I need, as well.

Thanks for bringing that to our attention. That is why you are so patient with all of us, I'm sure.

[inave]

I've recently begun listening to Joyce Myers and her thing is "quit getting OFFENDED". Seems some people (no one here) just LIVE offended. I never have understood that. The way I see it, you either like me or you have very poor taste in people!!! (It's a joke, people!) Now, back to the scary stuff! As I said before, I don't worry too much about the "Stuff"; it's the "Oak Ridge attitude" I don't like.

[bbkaren]

We never wound up meeting anyone there; it seems like one of those "progressive" areas we've had our fill of here in NJ so we never really considered it...! lol

We did drive through though and the Mexican restaurant there is fabulous.

[inave]

Yeah, I guess "progressive" is a nicer word! Which Mexican restaurant did you go to? There's only one here that we like. I'm terrible with names but it's on Tulane Street.