Fayette and Fulton County residents committed to finding answers to illnesses they believe stem from Philip Services Corp. waste treatment plant in Fairburn will hold a Citizens Rally Oct. 21 at Shamrock Park in Tyrone from 1-5 p.m.

Members of the South Fulton/Fayette Community Task Force have long maintained that the plant must be closed permanently after releasing emissions during the spring and summer that caused illnesses to hundreds of people and sickness and death to dogs, cats and wildlife in a 40 square-mile area.

Task force members will be present to answer questions related to the their concerns. Tyrone Scout Troop 174 will participate in the event as a community service project.

Elected officials or those running for office confirmed to speak at the rally on behalf of affected residents include Fayette County Commissioner Peter Pfeifer, Fulton County Commissioner Bill Edwards, Rep. Virgil Fludd, Sen. Kasim Reed, U.S. 3rd Congressional District challenger Mike McGraw, House District 72 candidate Kevin Madden, and a representative of U.S. Rep. David Scott. Congressman Lynn Westmoreland and other elected officials and challengers have been invited and have agreed to attend if scheduling permits. Fulton County Dept. of Health & Wellness Director Dr. Steve Katkowsky will also speak during the event.

“The purpose of the citizens rally is to sign a new petition asking Fulton County for the non-renewal of Philip Services Corporation's pre-treatment permit due to harm to their citizens and numerous permit violations, said task force Chairman Connie Biemiller. “The rally will also serve as a time to further educate our neighbors with regard to known threat agents that have poisoned our community. Legislators and their opponents along with City Councils and Neighborhood Associations will also be there to speak on the community's behalf, standing in solidarity for the permanent closure of this plant.”

Also invited are representatives of the cities and organizations that have adopted resolutions calling for answers to illnesses and the relocation or closure of the plant. These include the town of Tyrone, Fayette County, Fulton County, the city of Fairburn, North Fayette Community Association and South Fulton Concerned Citizens.

Residents from Tyrone, Peachtree City, Fairburn, Union City and unincorporated Fayette and South Fulton counties have reported symptoms and illnesses consistent with those of exposure and overexposure to the chemical odorant Propyl mercaptan and organophosphate pesticide MOCAP. Those symptoms include severe headache, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, skin rash, eye irritation, various breathing problems and kidney damage. Georgia Environmental Protection Division reported Sept. 15 that tests of chemical “water wash” samples believed to have been present for a short time at the plant during June “most likely caused symptoms in the community.”

Live music at the rally will be provided by the 70s band Terra Free and barbeque and hot dogs will be served.

Shamrock Park is located on Senoia Road east of downtown Tyrone.

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