OAK MEADOWS WE NEED YOUR VOICE

Oak Meadows — We Need Your Voice

This week, a meeting was held with the various plant managers of facilities around us at the Valero facility inside the Manchester area. 

It was an opportunity for residents to ask questions directly and hear from the plant managers themselves.

Unfortunately, the facilitator provided prepared questions to those in attendance, and when a question went beyond what had been prepared, it was difficult to get an answer.

My question was about FLARING, which is a very important issue for Oak Meadows. During March,2026  INVISTA was flaring 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, throughout the entire month. The flaring continued into April as well.

Many Oak Meadows residents experienced strong chemical odors/smells, which entered their homes. Residents reported headaches and other concerns as a result.

We made sure Oak Meadows residents were notified about this meeting, including the date and the topics that would be discussed. Sadly, only one Oak Meadows resident, other than Civic Club officers, attended.

Meanwhile, many residents from the Manchester area were there.

Come on, Oak Meadows! These meetings are being held for YOUR benefit. If we want our concerns heard—especially when it comes to air quality, odors, flaring, and the plants surrounding our community—we have to show up.

The Civic Club can help bring these issues forward, but we need residents to participate.

Your presence matters. Your questions matter. Your voice matters.

Let’s not wait until the next problem occurs before we decide to get involved.