Since January 2000, the
Reverend Louis Coleman and others representing the Justice Resource
Center have been picketing the gate of MSD’s Morris Forman
Wastewater Treatment Plant at 4522 Algonquin Parkway. Picketing has
been done at random hours and has caused interruptions in the plant’s
normal operations.
Since picketing has begun,
MSD has attempted to meet with the Justice Resource Center, on several
occasions, to mediate the issues of concern. Those meetings have
provided no resolution and Reverend Coleman and company continue to
picket the front (only) gate. The Justice Resource Center contends
that the Plant presents health hazards to West Louisville. Independent
studies and monitoring have proven those claims to be invalid. MSD has
also offered to meet with a third party mediator in an attempt to
resolve any of the contested issues.
Although MSD does not agree
with the Justice Resource Center’s position, MSD does not dispute
their right to picket. MSD has suggested an area to the side of the
main gate for Reverend Coleman’s activities. He has refused this
option and continues to block the main entrance to the plant with
vehicles and personnel. This practice has the potential to cause
physical injury or death to Reverend Coleman and his party; MSD
employees; and numerous truck drivers who enter and exit the plant. In
addition, the area at MSD’s front gate is adjacent to the parkway,
with entrances to local gasoline distributors and related tanker truck
activity a constant hazard to any disruption to normal traffic flow.
With this situation in mind,
MSD has requested and received a restraining order (Thursday, May 25,
10:35 A.M.) ordering Reverend Coleman and his party to cease blocking
the main gate of the Morris Forman Wastewater Treatment Plant. Again,
MSD does not take issue with Reverend Coleman’s right to picket. MSD
will continue to offer a safe area next to the front gate for Reverend
Coleman’s use.
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