Letter - Carpenters' union official supports cement plant

To the editor:

I recently had an opportunity to tour the Holnam Cement Plant at Lee Island in Ste. Genevieve County, not once, but twice. I was pleased to be able to take these two tours while "wearing two different hats."

During my first tour, I wore the hat of a business representative of the Carpenters' District Council of Greater St. Louis. My focus was on the construction jobs and permanent jobs that this plant will create. There is no doubt that the construction and operation of the Holnam Cement Plant at Lee Island will be a huge boost to the economy of the area.

My second tour of the plant was as the new co-chairman of the Ducks Unlimited chapter in the Ste. Genevieve area. My concerns on this visit were for the environment, preservation and restoration of wetlands.

In both cases -- as a representative of the Carpenters and as co-chair of Ducks Unlimited -- Holnam representatives were frank and direct with their answers to all questions, gave thorough explanations and put all my fears to rest.

My support for the construction of the Holnam Cement Plant at Lee Island remains strong. I feel that this project is right for the community, right for jobs and right for the environment.

Dale J. Roth

Business Representative/Organizer

Carpenters' District Council of Greater St. Louis