A major effort is underway to get any citizen who was affected by pollution from Tonawanda Coke to issue an impact statement in court.
Earlier this year a federal jury found Tonawanda Coke and its owner guilty of violating the Clean Air Act. For years, the company's smokestacks spewed out high levels of benzene and other toxins into the air.
Citizens are being asked to tell their story to U.S. Judge William Skretny as he prepares for the July 15 sentencing. Tonawanda Coke faces up to $220 million in fines.
But Tonawanda resident Jackie James Creedon, who has lead the fight against the company, says there are no guarantees the paid fines would stay in this community.
"People are sick and now is the time for us to get our restitution. We can't go back and change it and make these people healthy, but we can help them," Creedon says.
Creedon says some residents are still hesitant to come forward.
"It takes a lot of courage and people are afraid. They're afraid of the truth. They don't want to know, sometimes. It's better not to know, they feel, because they don't want to face the truth."
Local, state and federal leaders who represent the Tonawandas and Grand Island are joining the effort, urging constituents to submit their statements.
Many residents have suffered illness, including cancer, from the pollution. Those stories could be key in influencing the judge on sentencing day.
Western New York Congressman Brain Higgins said the judge would decide if those dollars would stay in the community.
They should not go to Washington. They should not go to the bureaucracy," said Congressman Higgins.
Tonawanda Coke owner Mark L. Kamholz faces up to 75 years in prison at sentencing. Guidelines for filing an impact statement can be found here.
