I am writing to you today regarding the appalling condition of Ford Avenue in the area of Holcim (Lafarge).

I live on the paved section of Misery Bay and have to travel through the area several times a day and my vehicle looks as if I live on a five-mile stretch of dirt road due to the amount of track out across Ford Avenue to and from the quarry area of Holcim.

There is approximately one-and-a-half inches of mud on the roadway in the areas of crossings. This is a safety hazard for vehicles traveling this stretch of roadway. Not only does it add grime to vehicles but could cause vehicles to slide out of control. When it gets colder this track out becomes frozen and becomes a hazard to vehicles by becoming essentially a speed bump. All of this added to the liquid being expelled from the stacks and the constant CKD dust which spills out of transport vehicles and product that falls from the overhead conveyor system, it is a miracle that there have not been any accidents and/or injuries.

Now that they have added another crossing of Ford Avenue for the trailers full of tires that they are burning, it has added another spot with track out.

I am concerned with what the effect of the constant exposure to the track out is doing to vehicles who have to travel through that area. Not to mention what health effects that may be occurring. I have had to use vinegar to remove dirt and materials from my vehicle that will not wash off even with professional car washes and power washing. Their answer was to offer to purchase vinegar for us. To me this is not a solution, just a temporary Band-aid.

JIM STACHLEWITZ,

Alpena