Assertions misleading the public

"PERFECTLY SAFE!" That is the assertion by Borough Council member and litigant against the Borough of Downingtown, Ann Feldman, in reference to Kardon Park (Dec. 3, 2010, "Scare tactics latest in park dispute"). Shame on her. She knows better and has a duty to the citizenry as a public official to be honest about its contaminated status.

To quote the late Daniel Patrick Moynihan, "you're entitled to your own opinion, but not to your own facts."

Ms. Feldman's comments actively mislead the public and encourage people to stray off the safety of the paved Lions Trail. Ms. Feldman is throwing sand in the eyes of residents by making such false and dangerous assertions.

To see exactly what is in the lands of this former dump site, one can visit KardonParkFacts.com.

Let's start with the lead which is more than 11 times the approved statewide health standard. Then there is benzo-a-pyrene, up to 440 times higher than the safe limits! How about arsenic, throughout the site over five times the recommended levels.

These contaminants are located in the open meadow area as well as the hulking mounds of fill in the woods. None of these areas have been capped or made safe, though Ms. Feldman would have us believe that they are, simply because she wishes it so.

In fact, trees that were up-ended in the meadow not far from the trail are exposing this tainted layer of soil to the public and wildlife. It's pitch-black soil littered with plastics and rusted metal objects.

Ms. Feldman should know that the only DEP approval on record is for commercial development west of the paved path which would act as a safe cap, and limited use of the Lions Trail and ponds for a public park. (The latter will remain and grow in size and beauty with the new development, so in no event is the park now enjoyed being "turned into a housing development.")

The DEP order is in black and white. That's the only thing that DEP has approved, period and end of story. The Golder report Ms. Feldman cites in fact does the opposite of what she asserts:

It documents the contamination and states that the park is safe if visitors stay on the paved trail, remain in the park for an average of 10 minutes and are mostly adults, not children. Hardly the "solid evidence that the park is SAFE" she so confidentially but sadly erroneously asserts.

Ms. Feldman's assertions are case in point why the borough has to take precautionary steps immediately now that some people are potentially luring innocent park visitors off the safety of the paved trails.

Just because she doesn't want her personal view to change from her backyard does not mean she should inflict her wishful thinking on park visitors. Public: please stay on the paved trail!

Sean Lawrence

Downingtown