New asphalt plant owners clear the air on Grayson Co. facility

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Posted: 6:29 PM Jul 18, 2008
Last Updated: 6:29 PM Jul 18, 2008
Reporter: Daniel Gotera
Email Address: daniel.gotera@kxii.com

30 comments

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GRAYSON COUNTY, Tex. -- Last February, a then-proposed asphalt plant just east of Pottsboro caused plenty of concern among residents about possible health hazards. Today the plant is still operational under new management, and is now using a new system that owners hope will help alleviate those concerns.

The hot mix plant in Pottsboro caused plenty of controversy a year and half ago but since January, RK Hall Construction has made it a goal to keep this facility environmentally friendly.

It was a flood of controversy last year when Joe Rushing of Rushing Paving completed the new hot mix plant off FM 120, but he sold the plant to RK Hall Construction in December. That was when new management decided their first priority would be to find a better way to make the plant more efficient and environmentally friendly.

An upgrade around $100,000 has allowed the plant to create the mix at lower temperatures. They say that cuts down on the emissions that raised so many concerns, staying well below the limits set out by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.

Brad Bankston with RK Hall Construction says they were aware of the debate over the plant last year, but they feel confident that their new warm mix technology will lead to better production on the roads and happier neighbors around the plant.

"Prior to the acquisition, we actually seeked out the new technology and what we would be able to do with it once we took control of the company and how we could move forward," Bankston says.

Officials with RK Hall Construction say their goal now is to use a lot more recyclable materials in their daily operations.

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Comments are posted from viewers like you and do not always reflect the views of this station.

Posted by: Complainer Location: pottsboro on Jul 24, 2008 at 03:10 PM
To Anonymous: I've already stated my feelings about the Asphalt plant being located next to our High School. I have good reason to comment on this story. I have a child attending the High School, and am not only concerned for her health, but worry about one of those trucks pulling out in front of her while driving down fm120. The High School has lost several students in car accidents the past few years. One of which was killed by a dump truck! I do have reason for commenting on this site. You say you don't live near the plant, so please enjoy your $300,000 house, wonderful land, and ever so lucky husband, and let the people voice their opinion without your hateful views!!!

Posted by: Anonymous on Jul 24, 2008 at 01:22 PM
Blah...Blah...Blah...complainer. Oh, I have some feelings...I feel that it sucks to be you! As for me having a brain...I was smart enough to purchase/live on acreage that has no chance of having an asphalt plant, jail or anything else located next to it. My husband and I did our research when we purchased our place. It may have cost a little extra but is was worth it. So complain on sista.... The sky is falling...The sky is falling.... :o)

Posted by: complainer Location: pottsboro on Jul 24, 2008 at 10:37 AM
I agree with "Dookey" 100%. We have a right to complain, even if it doesn't do any good! After all, what do we expect to see when we drive into any community; Family homes with children playing out in the yards, or Two Smoke Stacks with smoke pouring out and huge trucks pulling away with STINK and ASPHALT flying out of them? I for one, would much rather see the asphalt plant move than the lovely families and their children that live here. As for Anonymous, You need to get your head checked! Why you think an Asphalt Plant is more important than a community and their families is beyond me! And I would really like to know why you think it's funny that an Asphalt Plant is located within one mile of Pottsboro's High School! I see no humor in it what so ever! You need to GROW SOME FEELINGS AND A BRAIN!

Posted by: Dookey Location: Shermboro on Jul 24, 2008 at 08:33 AM
Wow! Some of you people amaze me. Telling folks to move, you have no right to complain, etc. The fact of the matter is; It's not happening/happened to you. Anyone would complain when a new asphalt plant, sewer plant, jail/prison or landfill is built in close proximity to their residence. Why argue about it or try to convince someone they should just accept it? I live N. of Pottsboro and go by this plant occasionally. The real nuisance seems to be the trucks. They stink, have asphalt chunks falling off and are just plain dangerous. I've had a couple pull out in front of me and they speed. So, dead horse? Sure. But you sure ARE NOT going to keep the people from complaining, and they DO have every right to!

Posted by: mom Location: pottsboro on Jul 23, 2008 at 09:51 PM
I think it's sad that people don't see what the real issue is here, and that's the health of the people living and going to school near this plant. I don't think anyone has a problem with asphalt plants, they just have a problem with the location of this one. I spoke to my Dr. about the risks to my child, and he said as long as she doesn't have asthma she SHOULD be fine, but children or elderly people with breathing problems could be affected a great deal by the emissions from the plant. He also said there is very little known about the affects since, as far as he knows, no one has ever built one of these plants so close to a school. Most owners of these plants respect the communities and build away from SCHOOLS! It's sad that people are so uncaring today, and all they care about is the mighty buck. We can't dictate what RK Hall does with his land, but I hope he can live with himself IF a child does get sick because of this plant. I, for one, would never risk it!

Posted by: Anonymous on Jul 23, 2008 at 04:57 PM
To: Not – Boo Hoo, you really hurt my feelings with the “stupid” comment (not). And it is spelled STUPID by the way. So the best you can do is insult those expressing their opinions? I think you are the arrogant one to think you have a right to dictate what RK Hall does with their land. If you want rules, move to the city and you will not have this problem. But, I get the feeling nothing would satisfy you. Grow up and accept the fact that no one really cares about your feelings! If they did the plant wouldn’t be there would it? So tell me, where has all this complaining gotten you? Nowhere, but next to asphalt plant. HaHa!

Posted by: all of us Location: here on Jul 23, 2008 at 04:20 PM
this is not what if anymore.we now see all the damage to the air ,community, roads etc.who would want to build or develop land next to the stinking asphalt plant duh.to jacob c i cant believe you graduated in 06 when you have the mentality of a 12 year old.......

Posted by: Not Location: Here on Jul 23, 2008 at 03:47 PM
Bill, you're stoopid! No one cares about the one at the mall, cause NO ONE LIVES THERE DUMMY!!!! And Anon @ 1:57, I have no right to complain???? I wish they had built a sewer plant by your house instead of a doublewide, you arrogant TOAD!!! Take your money and build you a house in Oklahoma, maybe Bill will come live with you. You two JERKS deserve one another!!!

Posted by: Anonymous on Jul 23, 2008 at 03:47 PM
Blah...Blah...Blah...people. Get a life. You are continuing to beat a dead horse.

Posted by: fun,fun Location: tx on Jul 23, 2008 at 03:04 PM
Like I said in my first post if you are really that concerned about the health risk. Call a Realtor,Moving company and go somewhere that you will not have this problem. I have never noticed any of the workers that you see placing asphalt. Wearing any protective equipment. So what excatly are the health risk?

Posted by: Tired of JERKS! Location: pottsboro on Jul 23, 2008 at 10:39 AM
To Bill: GO BACK TO SCHOOL! To FUN FUN: It's easy for you to be smug and make fun when this HAS NOT HAPPENED TO YOU! Give RK Hall your address and tell them you wouldn't mind them moving the plant next to your house and your kids schools!

Posted by: fun,fun Location: tx on Jul 23, 2008 at 06:43 AM
After reading this story and some of the comments. I began wondering what I would do if something like this happened to me. Now If I were really concerned about my health and the health of my family. I WOULD MOVE! Now before you tell me how hard it would be to seel the place you have now. Or how much money you would lose. Think about being dead. But if you are just looking for something to whine and complain about by all means carry on. I enjoy reading the post on here

Posted by: Bill Location: denison on Jul 23, 2008 at 12:05 AM
they have a plant by the mall also but no one cares about it you people would cry over anything you driving your car does just as much poluting as the plant no one want them in ther back yard but they got to put them somwhere so and so it stinks a little i am sure if everyone would have payed for some land ferther out and gave it to rushing and told him to build it ther he would have but he had to put it on the land he had so get over it

Posted by: Tom Location: Pottsboro on Jul 22, 2008 at 08:01 PM
2 times you have stoped my commet about the plant and the way their trucks trash the road. WHY?

Posted by: Welcome Double Wide! Location: pottsboro on Jul 22, 2008 at 05:05 PM
To anonymous, I don't think an asphalt plant even compares to a double wide. Maybe we should see if there is some way RK Hall could move their Asphalt plant over to where the double wide is, and move the double wide in where the Asphalt plant is. I think everyone living in Pottsboro would more than welcome the trade! I bet that double wide would look real good to you after a few trips past a stinking asphalt plant! Sheesh, anonymous, get a life and stop worrying about a rundown double wide! People like you who think they are better than someone simply because they live in a double wide and you live in a $300,000 house make me sick! Get over yourself! Oh yes, the Asphalt Plant is less than 60 seconds from the High School and BARELY out of the CITY LIMITS!

Posted by: Anonymous on Jul 22, 2008 at 01:57 PM
When you live outside the city limits you take the risk of having something like this happen. You have no right to complain. Get over it already. We had a doublewide move in a few acres away, I don't care for it being near my 300,000 home, but we live in the country and that is the way it is. I swear every time we drive by it is more rundown, but you couldn't pay me to live in town. Sheesh, people get on with your lives.

Posted by: all of us Location: denison on Jul 22, 2008 at 11:16 AM
well i think the plant is a threat to the developing community which brings alot more jobs than a stinking asphalt plant and by the way what have you been up to since 07 jacob mabey cd rocket science.......what a winner.

Posted by: anon on Jul 21, 2008 at 07:50 PM
Well, Jacob, If you say it's not that bad, and your grandparents don't mind living right next to it, then I guess everyone just needs to stop worrying about it. Who cares what we're breathing in as long as it brings in jobs and it's really not as bad as everyone thought it would be. A little Asphalt in the air never killed anyone. At least not yet, it will be a good 10 or 20 years down the road before we know how it has affected the health of the people who live and go to school around it. But that's o.k. as long as it brings in those jobs right now, and you can only smell it "at times".

Posted by: Mrs. Moore Location: property joins RK Hall Asphalt Plant on Jul 21, 2008 at 07:47 PM
We were here prior to Rushing Paving and our property joins the asphalt plant on the North. Jacob I would love for you to come over here and spend a day with us and see for yourself just how big of a deal this really is! You will change your tune darn quick! You should live here next to it! 85% of the time the wind comes out of the S or SW and it sure is not pleasant, can't hang clothes out to dry as they only smell of asphalt, not what I call fresh ! On smelly days we have to keep our windows closed,it still filters in our home,we can't go outside more than 30 minutes because we end up with burning and sore throats within 2 hours. Constant noise, Totally unacceptable!! It has changed our lives drastically. That is not quality of life in the country, sorry. Just wait till someones child has constant sore throats from this, they will take action. The emissions and the health deteriorating particles in the air are a problem, as this plant is too close to residents and schools.

Posted by: Jacob Location: pottsboro on Jul 21, 2008 at 04:29 PM
As a matter of fact my grandparents are the ones who live right next to the asphault plant. When i visit over there it isnt bad at all yes you can smell it at times but nothing like we all thought it was going to be and my little brother goes to pottsboro and will be a junior and i graduated in 07 so we know what its like having an asphault plant right down the street and its really not that bad at all and not near as bad as i expected actually i think its helpful because it brings in jobs

Posted by: phs student on Jul 21, 2008 at 03:49 PM
I think the new owners did help by lowering the emissions, but lowering the emissions, picking up a little trash, and building a couple of ponds with fountains doesn't change the fact that this is a Stinking Asphalt Plant putting out EMISSIONS. Although they are trying to make it better, We still have to smell it when we drive by it and the trucks do STINK! Our school is right next to it, and if you can smell it when you're parked right in front of it, or driving by it, whose to say those emissions are not coming right over to the High School parking lot, practice field, or running track? It's easy for people to say it's location is fine if they don't have to attend school right next to it every day! I also feel sorry for the people who live next to it. Just because you can't always smell it doesn't mean it's not hurting your body!

Posted by: pottsboro citizen on Jul 21, 2008 at 03:00 PM
to Jacob and Anonymous, I drove by the asphalt plant this morning, & guess what I smelled when I drove by? ASPHALT! It's not an exaggeration! And, the community protested the plant as soon as we were made aware it was being built! The plant does look better since RK Hall took it over, and I rarely smell it when I'm in my back yard anymore. I do admit it is better with the new owners. I still don't like it being so close to our schools, and whether you want to admit it or not, it stinks when you drive by it, and those TRUCKS REALLY STINK! NO EXAGGERATION!

Posted by: Jacob Location: Pottsboro on Jul 21, 2008 at 12:16 PM
I live in pottsboro and i very seldom smell the asphalt plant at all! i really dont think its as big of a deal that everyone makes it out to be! As for pottsboro citizen your comments are a total exaggeration the smell is very minimal and is rarely ever noticed unless you pretty much park in front of the plant

Posted by: sar Location: kastic on Jul 21, 2008 at 12:16 PM
I live next to the plant with my 7-toed, hermaphroditic son/daughter with two heads and we have no complaints.

Posted by: Anonymous on Jul 21, 2008 at 11:33 AM
Maybe you should have protested the plant being built when it was built in the first place.

Posted by: pottsboro citizen on Jul 21, 2008 at 10:09 AM
to "Keep it cool", why should we have to "HOLD OUR NOSES"? We should be able to live in our community without being "STUNK OUT" by an asphalt plant! Our children should be able to attend school without fear of having toxins in the air! The location of this plant is not even close to the "BOONIES"! I understand we need these plants for our roads, and I don't have a problem with that. However, our schools and many homes were here BEFORE this plant, and this plant should be relocated to an area that really is considered to be the "BOONIES"!

Posted by: Anonymous on Jul 21, 2008 at 09:20 AM
i wander how many death threats RK HALL will get?

Posted by: me Location: here on Jul 19, 2008 at 02:42 PM
well which buisnesses do the people that built the stupid thing own so we can stay away from them.....not just their buisnesses but the ones that are connected by their ownership of building...

Posted by: Keep it Cool Location: Low Down on Jul 19, 2008 at 12:51 AM
Do you want to drive on NICE Asphalt or Potholes? They report...you decide. Hold your nose and don't look at it. Rushing Paving has been around for a long time and they were probably considered in "the boonies" until you all moved in.

Posted by: pottsboro citizen on Jul 18, 2008 at 11:30 PM
My children attend pottsboro schools, and I do not like having this plant so close to their school! It still smells, no matter how much they have improved it. My family and I pass by this plant a couple of times a day, the plant smells, and when looking back at it, you can see all kinds of trucks and crap back there. It's simply a stinky mess! Everytime We go by there, we hope we don't come up on one of their trucks pulling out, if we do, we have to follow it, and wow! What a SMELL! It's enough to make you sick. The only way I will be happy about this plant and their new technology is if they can find a way to make it disappear!

Posted by: Pottsboro Mom Location: home on Jul 18, 2008 at 11:06 PM
Thank you RK Hall! Which just proves the point we were trying to make back then. The Rushing's were not concerned with what was best for our kids, elderly and sick or they would have saught out this technology!

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