The small town of Benson, Arizona, has become a stage for civic activism as residents voice their concerns over the proposed construction of an aluminum recycling plant. According to a report by ABC15, the plan for the 174,000-square-foot plant on 200 acres next to the Union Pacific Railroad blindsided citizens like Mary Moran, who valued the rural tranquility of the area. Moran expressed worries about deteriorating air quality and water consumption in light of the recent drought in Cochise County.
Despite the strong opposition, City Manager Greg Volker explained that the city's hands are tied, as the property in question is zoned for heavy industrial use. He stated that the city lacks the authority to prevent the project as long as the company, Aluminum Dynamics, complies with city codes and state regulations. This sentiment was echoed by Volker in a statement to KOLD, affirming that "This property is zoned. They followed the city code and the state regulatory, they’re allowed to move in."
Concerned community members, however, are not convinced, with more than 2,000 individuals signing a petition against the plant's construction. A gathering on Monday night underscored the public's discontent as dozens protested outside the city council chambers, with many seniors and cancer survivors worried about additional exposure to carcinogens. The protest saw residents like Carol McCall and Chris Holland expressing fears of the health risks associated with hazardous air pollutants from the plant.
As a step toward community engagement, a public hearing is scheduled for Thursday at 6 p.m. at Benson High School by the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality to address residents' concerns. Conversely, some residents have gone a step further, initiating a petition for the recall of the mayor and city council members, as reported by KOLD. Stephen Moran told the news outlet, "A lot of people tried to express their concerns and opinions, and they felt like the city council didn’t care and the city council was not interested." This sentiment underscores a growing rift between the city's residents and its leadership.
