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Community Corner

How safe are we with Shell Oil in our back yard?

Martinez does not have to be Shells whore. Martinez has the potential to be the Ross of the east bay. Property value would sore with the absence of Shell Oil just for starters.

I have had to sign a release of liability form twice.

Each time you buy a house in Martinez you have to release Shell Oil of liability should you be diagnosed with cancer as a result of their irresponsible release of cancer causing chemicals into the air and water.

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 The news has recently reported on the small fines Chevron has had to pay and their pathetic community offering in the wake of their explosion that was responsible for sickening of thousands of people across Contra Costa County and wasting OUR resources.

I remember walking my dog when I saw that giant black plume of smoke and then trying to race home to seal it up and protect my family. None the less smoke found its way in and made us all sick for a couple weeks. Lord only knows how much of the cancer causing chemicals we all breathed in for those days and what the long term effects may be.

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One thing we can all count on is that Chevron does not care nor will they be there if we are diagnosed with Cancer in the future.

I drive on Pacheco Blvd daily. I have for nearly 43 years. Form childhood to adult I have watched the Shell oil refinery decay. If you drive by Shell Oil in Martinez, please take a look at the decaying stacks, rusted pipes, leaking pipes, rainbow colored water near the Vista Drive to name a few. You can stop and take a walk around the outside of the property where you can smell the poison and see the rot, decay in any area you choose to look.

Over years we have built thousands of homes all around Martinez and Pacheco closing in on Shell Oil. We have rehabbed sections of the city, countless homes and store fronts while Shell continues to decay.

How safe are we with Shell Oil? Who is really looking out for our safety? How long until Shell Oil blows up?

Does anybody really care?

Is it time for Shell to move out?

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