Loudoun NATS has had a website filled with sludge information up and running for months now. All elected officials in County, State, and National office have been advised of the web address numerous times. In addition, NATS has emailed dozens of newspaper articles, research reports, official complaints, and assorted information to all members of government. Below is a report of responses from some of the candidates towards NATS goal of ending the sludge program in Loudoun County. Listed are only respondents who spoke to a NATS member or emailed NATS.

SENATE RACE (Virginia)

Mark Herring:
Although Barbara L. Rubin has appeared before the Board of Supervisors many times and NATS has emailed dozens of important documents to all Board members, Mr. Herring reports to Barbara Rubin that he has not had time to read any documents nor visit NAT'S website. Yet at the Oct. 14, 2003, debate with Senator Potts, Mr. Herring replied to a question of whether he would support NATS goals of eliminating sludge in Loudoun County in view of a flood of news articles, a technical journal editorial by a medical/wastewater credentialed person, and court decisions all confirming the problems with sludge exposure, that "he needed to study the issue." He went on to say he had spoken to so many Loudoun County farmers who used sludge and he did not want to deprive them. The fact is under the Loudoun County ordinance (1999-2003) only 15 farms out of 1,032 farms in Loudoun County had permits to spread Class B sludge. He went on to say he had seen studies to support both sides of the argument. FACT: There is not one scientific study that shows sludge safe for public health. This fact is even acknowledged by the EPA. In response to two major reports published in 2002, the National Academy of Science Report and EPA Inspector General's Report, both citing the absence of any science proving sludge safe for the public health, EPA in conjunction with industry held a "sludge summit" in July. The focus was to begin to do the missing research that had never been done, How could Mr. Herring have seen studies that do not exist?

H. Russell Potts, Jr.:
Mr. Potts has commended Barbara L. Rubin for her diligence and persistence on the sludge issue. He has acknowledged an awareness of the controversy on the local state and national level. His legislative assistant emailed NATS the following: "I can assure you, Senator Potts is concerned about this, and any illnesses that may be created by all environmental pollutants."

CHAIRMAN, BOARD OF SUPERVISORS (Loudoun County, VA)

Al Van Huych:
Mr. Van Huyck has expressed interest in finding solutions for the issue and has said he would suggest some land use planning issues to achieve our goals.

Robert Gordon: Mr. Gordon said after his initial thoughts that sludge was beneficial, he has reconsidered and is now open to the possibility there may be problems. This change occurred because of the increased press attention and information presented to him. He has also consulted with farmers in the county.

Scott York:
When asked if he would support NATS goals he responded, perhaps he would consider the issue if he is elected.

BOARD OF SUPERVISORS (Loudoun County, VA)

Jim Burton:
When Barbara Rubin asked Mr. Burton if he would consider supporting NATS goals, he answered he was only interested in the election.

Charles A. Harris:
When approached by a NATS member Mr. Harris indicated he did not want to discuss sludge.

Geary Higgins:
Mr. Higgins has expressed a desire to learn more about the issue and has visited the NAT'S website which he says he will refer to in future discussions

Sally Kurtz:
When asked "since 73 diverse groups petitioned EPA for an emergency moratorium on sludge, and considering the 300,000 National Farmers Union opposes sludge, what position do you have?" Ms Kurtz answered she needed to study the issue.

Stephen Snow:
Mr. Snow has expressed interest in the issue and sees validity in NAT'S concerns.

Jim Clem:
Mr. Clem said he believes NAT's concerns are valid. He believes in erring on the cautious side in health related issues whose risks may not be know for years.

C. Kelly Burk:
Ms Burk said she did not know enough about the issue and wished to learn more.

Afeefa Syeed:
Expressed interest in learning more from Loudoun NATS about the sludge issue.

Eugene A. Delgaudio:
At the 10/16/03 League of Women’ Voter’s debate Mr. Delgaudio said he was responsible for introducing internet access to the Board of Supervisors, opening communication to all constituents. He also said, in response to an accusation he was not open to all constituent problems, that he was always available and interested in any problem. Before the debate, Barbara Rubin approached Mr. Delgaudio and asked if in view of the recent emails (3 or 4, all in support of NAT’S contention sludge could be harmful or an extreme nuisance) NATS had just forwarded to the Board, would he consider supporting NATS agenda? His response suggested he was annoyed at receiving emails from NATS and was not interested in the problems of sludge victims. How does Mr. Delgaudio reconcile this with his claim to openness?

Doug Reimel:
"Although I think it's good to fertilize farm fields to increase yields, certainly not at the expense of our health, or polluting land, or endangering our water resources. Thanks for raising awareness. I will look into this if I'm elected. I will look for science not rhetoric, and it the science doesn't exist, then I agree we should be careful."