CALL TO ACTION: NO CRUMB RUBBER

A CALL TO ACTION

We at Safe Athletic Fields Edina have been so moved by all the support our community has shown over the past month in regards to our attempt to stop EPS and the Edina School Board from moving forward with their plan to install 5 new artificial turf fields with crumb rubber infill. We have been stopped at the grocery store, at restaurants, at sporting events and of course, at school to talk about it. We have been asked, “what can I do?” and “how can I help?”

We NEED your HELP!

Because the administration and the school board refused our first “ask”of waiting for the Federal study results, we have regrouped and we have a different “DEMAND” this time. We would like to DEMAND that the administration and school board relook at the alternative infills. We have done our research on the alternatives and there are many that would not create the problems for this community that we believe crumb rubber would. We would like to DEMAND that they use a nontoxic alternative to crumb rubber. This would end this debate and this community could go back to what it does best; living, learning and raising families. This is our “insurance policy” against the negative impact of crumb rubber: potential financial disaster should we have to rip out the fields, potential public health disaster should these fields prove to be toxic, potential environmental disaster should these fields prove to be toxic.

How can YOU help?

1. Sign our new petition demanding that the administration reconsider the use of a nontoxic alternative. Every voice carries a strong message. Our goal is 2000 signatures by May 16th.

https://www.change.org/p/edina-school-board-please-choose-an-alternative-organic-infill-in-place-of-crumb-rubber-infill?recruiter=522219485&utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=copylink?recruiter=522219485&utm_source=petition_show&utm_medium=copylink

Edina School Board: Please choose an alternative organic infill in place of crumb rubber infill

2. We will also be circulating a hard copy to petition to reach those residents who perhaps are not as internet savvy. In the interest of accurate numbers, please only sign one!

3. Please copy, paste and send the following paragraph to your elected officials:

I support SAFE Safe Athletic Fields Edina in seeking to provide the safest possible playing surfaces for our Edina children. I DEMAND, along with SAFE Safe Athletic Fields Edina, that the nontoxic alternatives to crumb rubber be re-examined and used in its place. I do not accept the uncertainty and questions that plague crumb rubber and I would like Edina to be a leader on this important issue, not a follower. I do not support the use of my tax dollars to make a financial , public health and environmental gamble where we live, learn and recreate.

Send to: Rep.Ron.Erhardt@house.mn,

Sen.melisa.franzen@senate.mn,

schoolboard@edinaschools.org

4. Forward this call to action to anyone and everyone you can think of that would be interested in learning more about this topic and signing our petition. Post it on Facebook, NextDoor.com

and anywhere that you want to get the word out.

5. Please print and read the information provided regarding this issue in Edina, frequently asked questions about crumb rubber and its nontoxic alternatives and the hard copy petition. Go talk to 10 of your neighbors about this important issue. Perhaps ones that you know well, or haven’t seen in a while. Get them on board to sign the online OR hard copy petition. The more discussion the better! (you can return the hard copy petition via scan/email to: clovergraham@hotmail.com by May 16th at 2pm) There is STRENGTH in numbers and the time to show our strength is now.

6. On Monday May 16th there will be a school board meeting in room 349 of the ECC. Please join SAFE in marching in protest to this meeting and presenting our new petition to the board. Details to follow.

Thank you again for your support!