From Market Street to Wall Street…

The Titan fight gained national notoriety this week with a major story in the Wall Street Journal. Atlanta-based staff writer Mike Esterl pegged the contentious local issue as representative of a national trend, as communities around the country turn from heavy-polluting industries of the past to attract cleaner, greener, high-tech industries of the future. Titan’s Bob Odom and Wilmington Industrial Development’s Scott Satterfield made their typical any-job-at-any-price argument, while Lloyd Smith and Ian Oeschger—two founders of FLCF/StopTitan.org and the newly formed Cape Fear Economic Development Council—made the case that the new economy lifts all boats—without sinking our environment, tourism industry, and public health. Read all about it and join the discussion fray here.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702303450704575159930129774868.html?KEYWORDS=titan+cement

Court Case Update

Judge Rejects Titan Request for Dismissal, Calls for Hearing on SEPA!

In a major blow to Titan’s and DENR’s lawyers, Wake Superior Court Judge Donald Stephens denied their request to dismiss the lawsuit brought by the Southern Environmental Law Center and Duke’s Environmental Law and Policy Clinic over Titan’s exclusion from the State Environmental Policy Act. Instead, Stephens called for a hearing on the SEPA issue next week telling the News & Observer: “I’m real uncomfortable with what I’ve heard so far,” Stephens said. “I think I’d like to hear it all.” So would we Judge, so would we. Check it out here:

http://projects.newsobserver.com/under_the_dome/judge_wants_to_hear_it_all_in_titan_case

Register Now to Reach the Beach!

And speaking of lawsuits, well they don’t come cheap. So come join your friends and neighbors who care about a healthy coast for the 2nd annual Reach the Beach—a family-friendly fundraising event for Friends of the Lower Cape Fear. Register today and start gathering sponsors for your 5K run or 1mile walk, so your friends and family from all over the country can participate as well. Next time they visit, they can take pride in knowing they’ve done their part to clear the Cape Fear air!

Where: Wrightsville Beach Park, Town Hall

When: Saturday, May 8, 9:00 AM – 1:00PM

What: 5k run, 1 mile family fun walk, music, food, family festivities, live and silent auction

Details: Get the scoop and register today at www.reachthebeach2010.com.

And Lastly, A Note on Politics…

A few folks complained about our mentioning of a candidate for county commissioner by name in our last update, mistakenly assuming that such a mention was tantamount to an endorsement. Nothing could be further from the truth. We have not, cannot, and will not endorse a candidate for public office. We are a big tent and include volunteers and supporters from all over the political spectrum who are united in opposition to Titan Cement. We apologize for any confusion we may have caused.

Your Friends and Neighbors at

StopTitan.org