Rabbi Mark's Blog: Save Reynolds Field (VIII)

Good people can disagree, and that’s what’s happening in Hastings. But it’s not a real disagreement, because Geo-Turf has not been giving us the real story. Geo-Turf is expensive, hurtful to the environment (the plastic blades will shed into and contaminate our storm drainage system), and it's heat is dangerous to our athletes (shown to spike 23 degrees in a matter of hours; and to hit 107 degrees when air temperature is only 71). The "Green" Energy Council which gave Geo-Turf its "Seal of Approval" is bogus - an industrial trade organization . selling exclusive endorsements for $100,000 a pop. Geo-Turf is not, as claimed, "eco-friendly." It's made from polyethylene, polypropylene, and polyurethane, and has never been recycled (indeed polyurethane cannot be recycled.) 

Local residents are beginning to speak out. Here’s are some comments you may or may not have seen, culled from The Rivertowns Enterprise, October 4, 2013:

Kate Greathead: “I am a 2001 Hastings High School graduate who was on the track team for four years. I am writing to express my dismay at the Reynolds Field renovation proposal to replace the field with synthetic turf and to reconfigure the entire complex to make a regulation-size track.” (The writer is from Brooklyn)

Frank Brodhead: “What is the responsible action for a community addressing Reynolds Field-type issues, as the world teeters on the brink of climate disaster?”

Mitchell Berman: “People considering whether to vote for or against the school bond that will replace grass on Reynolds Field with Geo Turf should know that the National Green Energy Council, the group with an environmental name that is endorsing the product, is an industrial trade organization, not an environmental group.”

Lin Osborn:  We citizens are being asked to pay $2 million-plus for the enhancement of what is actually an extra-curricular activity…”

Jeff Wetzler, Ed.D.: “What might be possible if we invested in a world-class robotics lab? A Chinese immersion institute? A design innovation studio to capitalize on the ‘maker’ movement? A center for social entrepreneurship?

Peggie Blizard: “This summer, when the concerts were held on the artificial turf at Mercy, not only did it smell unpleasant and feel uncomfortable, I noticed something very spooky – there was not one insect flying over the field. There was not one bird flying over the ‘grass.’ That should give one pause.” (The writer is from Dobbs)

Madeline Kass: “Since I’m being asked to vote blindly on something that would be a major change, I plan to vote ‘no.’”

For more information, go to http://www.savereynoldsfield.org/.