ROCKDALE COUNTY, Ga. — Concerned residents packed the first Board of Commissioners meeting since the BioLab chemical fire, demanding answers and changes regarding the facility’s future.
Channel 2′s Tom Jones was at that meeting where many community members questioned why the chemical facility remains open.
The Chairman of the Board emphasized that the primary focus is on cleaning up the site and ensuring community safety.
Only after these steps will discussions about the BioLab’s future take place. During the meeting, several residents discussed how the fire negatively impacted their lives.
Darryl Leach, a homeowner, shared how the fire affected him.
Leach has a garden where he grows items such as blueberries, eggplants, and heirloom tomatoes.
However, he now fears eating from his garden after chemicals and debris from the Sept. 29 fire landed on his property.
“I don’t believe it’s safe to eat,” Leach said.
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Leach expressed frustration at the meeting with the lack of communication regarding the damage to his property.
“We’re just waiting for more information. It seems like the communication piece has been very slow,” he said.
Many attendees voiced outrage at the BioLab.
One woman stated, “I do believe that Biolab should be shut down.”
Others questioned the absence of bio-lab representatives addressing the community.
“And where are BioLab? Where are they?” another attendee asked.
County Chairman Oz Nesbitt reiterated that ensuring community safety is the current priority.
“Then we will enter into other conversations,” Nesbitt said.
Leach hopes these conversations will include compensating those adversely impacted by the fire.
“I’m so ready for this to be over,” Leach said.
The attendees at the meeting demanded to know if the area was indeed safe and voiced concerns over the long-term impact of the chemicals in their community.
Efforts to contact the BioLab for a response or plans for a public address are ongoing.
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