“As a someone who was involved with the earlier inquiry that took place from 1999 to 2003 regarding what was then known as Southside High School, I believe as a community we need to call for action, and not just wait for another study nor more investigation. Cleanup must begin now! This is where all of our students from across the entire Elmira City School District will spend their high school days. And, I also believe that the entire surrounding area, spanning from Miller’s Pond to the neighborhood across from the school property and down to Cedar Street, has never even been comprehensively assessed for toxic impacts from the prior 100 years of industrial operations in this area of the Southside of Elmira. This entire area needs comprehensive cleanup as well,” Andy Patros said. “We as a community cannot let another two, five or 10 years pass before thorough and comprehensive remediation takes place, for the good of the public health.”
“Although former 15th district legislator Andy Patros and I disagree on most issues, I do agree with him on this one,” Legislator Rodney J. Strange said. “It is time to do a full, complete and comprehensive environmental cleanup of Elmira High School. Along with that, a thorough investigation must once and for all be done of the properties surrounding the old Remington Rand site on both sides of the railroad tracks. This should include Miller’s Pond and the entire length of Coldbrook Creek that flows behind many streets in Southport on it’s way to the Chemung River. We must put politics aside and work together to get this area cleaned up. I will work with Andy to get this done because the residents of the 15th district demand it and the students, teachers and staff of Elmira High School deserve it.”