Letters

Featured Letter: Opposition to United Terminal is NIMBY-ism at its worst

United Riverhead Terminal in Northville plans to convert two of the existing petroleum tanks on its property to gasoline storage tanks. (Credit: Tim Gannon)
United Riverhead Terminal in Northville plans to convert two of the existing petroleum tanks on its property to gasoline storage tanks. (Credit: Tim Gannon)

It makes me cringe every time I read some dopey, negative response regarding the gasoline project at United Riverhead Terminal. What’s worse is the fact that every single person in opposition has no problem utilizing the so-called “volatile fuel” in their car, truck, or Jet Ski. 

This is nothing more than a “not in my back yard,” knee-jerk reaction but without any merit. The only thing that’s really changing here is the product from oil to gasoline. It’s being stored in the same tanks, and pumped in the same pipelines that have been here longer than many of you. So what’s really going on here is the common nervousness and misinformation that seems to set in regarding any kind of change, even a change that could be a benefit to all of us in the future.

Most of the comments are coming from members of the self-appointed watchdog group Northville Beach Civic Association, whose members’ residencies probably average 10 years or less, or worse, they’re just weekend warriors who settle here for three months out of the year and have the “shut it down” attitude.

If they possessed even the slightest idea or working knowledge of the amount of intrinsically safe equipment and alarm redundancy installed to virtually eliminate a mishap, they might not be so closed-minded. I grew up a mile away from Northville and 50 years later I’m still here, a mile away, so I feel that qualifies me as a level-headed spokesperson, and I welcome a challenge from anyone who feels differently.

Mark Tuthill, Northville