North Central Area Commission

Plaskolite News

Plaskolite

In the year 2000, the Argyle Park Civic Association elected a mediation team to represent the community. Mediation with Plaskolite about the odors & emissions took nearly a year. The community listed priorities and demands for the mediators to negotiate with Plaskolite. Here is an update of our mediation results:
5 – 10 year plan – What you would like to see in the community?
a. Clean, breathable Air
Plaskolite has initiated a 3-year process to reduce the emissions & odors. Emissions of MMA have been reduced from 18 to 5 tons as a Good Neighbor investment by Plaskolite.
b. Jobs –Apprenticeship program
Plaskolite has started the I Know I Can Scholarship fund, including a summer apprenticeship program. They have also hired more people from the community.
c. Scholarships
Plaskolite has partnered with “I Know I Can” to establish a Scholarship fund for youth of the North Central Area.
d. Health Fair (Cancer Prevention, Lung Assoc., etc)
Together, we instituted the North Central Health Advisory Board with 33 members including health professionals, community members, James Cancer Clinic, OSU Medical, American Lung Assoc, just to name a few. We meet the 3rd Tuesday of each month, and have received two health grants to date.
e. Quarterly Reports from Plaskolite regarding emissions
Plaskolite has been attending APCA meetings quarterly to report their progress in reducing their emissions & odors.
f. Air Conditioners in homes and schools
Although Plaskolite did not provide air conditioners; they adopted Duxberry School and donated large fans for each of the classrooms. About 20 Plaskolite employees volunteer at Duxberry School as tutors during lunchtime. The school will be completely renovated (including air conditioning) with school bond money in about three years.
To summarize, it seems that our mediation team was successful in its negotiations with Plaskolite. Everything on our list has been or is being addressed. We have a unique community relationship, and have become an example for other communities.