Trash dump protests alter base operations

Firefighters in Lago Patria extinguish one of many trash fires burning across the city.


Trash dump protests alter base operations
By Lisa M. Novak, Stars and Stripes
European edition, Friday, January 11, 2008

NAPLES, Italy — The Navy has been forced to modify operations at its recreational facility at Carney Park because of recent protests over the proposed reopening of a long-closed trash dump in the Pianura area.

Reopening the Pianura dump would ease a huge pileup of garbage in some Naples neighborhoods — uncollected because there’s no more room at city dumps — but Pianura residents say using their dump would pose a health risk.

Earlier in the week, base staff were let go early as protesters blocked off roads leading into and out of the park. The park is open this weekend, but patrons are advised that protests can limit access.

“For this weekend’s ski trip, we aren’t using Carney Park as a pick-up or drop off point,” said Patrick Keaveny, Morale, Welfare and Recreation community support director in Naples. “Those who signed up for the trip will leave and return from the Support Site at Gricignano or the base at Capodichino.”

Base officials said they continue to monitor the situation, and advised personnel to use caution when going near these areas. For real-time updates on the traffic, servicemembers can go to http://tgcom.autostrade.it/tgcom. The site is in Italian and doesn’t go into great detail, but the icons and color-coded graphics are self-explanatory.


Rest of article at: http://www.stripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=51547