karen wrote on Jun 10, 2008 10:40 PM:I thought what Granite did was wonderful and open. They have gone well beyond what most people would expect. I was able to engage their engineers and scientists who were very forthcoming. Their answers satsified me. This is good for Temecula and good for Riverside County.

reality wrote on Jun 10, 2008 10:48 PM:Very professional group with Granite. They were personable and open and willing to spend time, even with opponents discussing issues. I was impressed.

Blake wrote on Jun 11, 2008 12:35 AM:Granite says that trucks going south from Temecula to supply San Diego's housing market will cut air emissions in Temecula. That may be true NOW. When trucks start heading north to the new area of growth - Barstow, Victorville, Apple Valley - those claims of less air pollution in Temecula will go north right along with the trucks.

OOOHH GASP wrote on Jun 11, 2008 6:19 AM:Typical SOS response with theatrics and drama. You look silly when you make a major production out of the deal, especially when you have no evidence to support your counterpoint. Just say you don't like it and leave it at that.

Just curious, but how many Granite reps were at the Pat Birdsall SOS Group Hug to disrupt it? To you people who don't want to listen and hear only what you want, let me repeat "Granite reps", not quarry supporters.

John wrote on Jun 11, 2008 6:52 AM:The name of their group "Save Our Southwest Hills" tells you what you need to know about their understanding of the foundation of freedom - private property rights! Hey Group, read this slowly - THEY AIN'T YOUR HILLS!!.

disgusted wrote on Jun 11, 2008 7:08 AM:by citizens of this community who cannot see the destruction that will come by this project. I am not a political person, but I sure can see when the wool is being pulled over my eyes. This granite quarry is obviously not going to benefit anyone except the granite company pushing it on us.

Not Me wrote on Jun 11, 2008 7:55 AM:Just drive down the 15 freeway through Corona and Temescal Canyon, is that what we want our hills to look like? Not me. Want dust in our kids' lungs? Not me. Want to battle more semi trucks on our roads? Not me.

Real residents don't do quarries.

Temite wrote on Jun 11, 2008 8:30 AM:Ok here it is. I was here first and I am in the path of the blowing dust from this sight. So I am against it and I have good reason to be I WAS HERE FIRST. I find it hard to beleive that this is the best sight when most of this county is made up of dirt and rock.

Property Rights Freedom wrote on Jun 11, 2008 9:28 AM:Granite Construction provided a very thorough and open presentation of their planned quarry. Well done! It's amazing how paranoid and over-dramatic the SOS kool-aide drinkers are. The one lady who gasped every time a portion of the model was removed has me laughing in stitches! Is she vying for an Academy Award or what. Granite seems more than happy to have its studies peer reviewed and scrutinized by the public. Let's also be clear about another thing. The quarry site is NOT part of Temecula or the neighborhood. The property lies OUTSIDE of the city limits. The people who own and work for Granite are entitled to their constitutional rights as private property owners to use this land as they want. They are willing to follow the Federal, State and County regulations in utilizing their property, so it's nobody else's business. What is SOS comprised of, a bunch of free market hating socialists? Lastly, it's indicative of the SOS crowd that for their silly human sign stunt last month that they claimed to have 2500 people out at the Temecula park. Yet that number was corrected by this newspaper and revised down to only 1000. Go back and research the archives from last year's human sign event and the number was listed at 1500. It seems that the truth is that SOS had a decrease in 500 from 2007 to 2008. If SOS cannot be trusted to provide a reliable figure for their event turnout, how can they be trusted on other issues? Kinda sucks to be SOS. Stick to the facts SOS and stop relying on emotions. Oops, my bad. I forgot, you have no facts. P.S. SOS...I do live in south Temecula and no, I don't own any stock nor do I work for Granite.

Steelhead wrote on Jun 11, 2008 10:12 AM:Bring on the granite quarry. They will mine valuable granite so that I can have those beautiful granite countertops. A little air pollution is a small sacrifice when citizns can line their homes with polished granite products. Think of all the high paying jobs this will generate for Temecula citizens who have lost jobs due to the slumping economy. Temeculans wish to thank the Granite Braintrust for all you do for our community--you have the hindsight to see the future.

Temite wrote on Jun 11, 2008 11:04 AM:To Property rights freedom, I do agree with you regarding their rights to own the land but when their land effects people outside their boundry then it is no longer their rights only and since the prevailing winds in the afternoon blow towards the East then Temecula citizens have the right to voice their complaints. By the way I do not know who SOS is but I am a concerned South Temecula citizen. We already have enough pollutants blowing East inthe afternoon from all of the increased exhaust from cars on the I-15, which was here first but again I was here before the quarry so I can make my voice heard.

Mark wrote on Jun 11, 2008 12:17 PM:Two words.....lung cancer

Oh Okay wrote on Jun 11, 2008 12:21 PM:How did French Valleyites come into this picture? You people are so far removed from the quarry it doesn't make a difference. And when did "South Temecula" become it's own city? Do they OWN the hills where the quarry is being built? No? Good. Build the quarry! Those SOS losers are a bunch of whiners anyways. GASP! They took another layer off! GASP! And the Academy Award goes to...

Jeopardy wrote on Jun 11, 2008 1:26 PM:Mark is providing the answer to the question "What is the result of spending time at Pechanga?"

Temite, I live East of you and was here first, and you are polluting the prevailing winds destined for my house. However, I'll be nice and not ask you to leave.

Concerned One wrote on Jun 11, 2008 1:34 PM:While I abhor the SOS crowd's MO, there is much to the granite argument that's hard for me to buy. Specifically traffic reduction, and that the quality of the aggregate can't be found else where. No matter what, Granite has a hard road to hoe.

Tried hard wrote on Jun 11, 2008 1:50 PM:I attended the Granite Const; open house as I am a Redhawk resident and was very concerned with what I wasn't sure about. Well they assured me, they assured me that I do not want their quarry near Redhawk. They were very polite, but so are used car salesmen when they want to sell you something.
I tried my best to understand and believe what they told me, but my gut would not let me.

Temecu resident wrote on Jun 11, 2008 2:03 PM:After visiting the Granite open house yesterday, I went on the internet to verify some of the stuff that they told me, especially the air pollution factor, and guess what I found out.
Their isn't enough room to tellyou here, but it certainly wasn't good.now I can take that wool off my eyes that they pulled over me.

Miner wrote on Jun 11, 2008 2:13 PM:After spending some time at the quarry open house on Wednesday morning, I came away feeling very misguided and with my intelligence a little insulted. They tried to tell me how wonderful everything would be if we had a quarry in our midst. As someone who has spent much time in and around mines, I found to hard to swallow, and my next step is to look into what the opposing group have to say

Temite wrote on Jun 11, 2008 2:39 PM:Good job jeopardy on the cheap shot but are you sure your ancestors where here before mine? I bet I produce less dust and exhaust then the quarry will.

arnys army wrote on Jun 11, 2008 3:00 PM:I was at the meeting and did not recieve my coupon for a FREE WINDSHIELD REPLACEMENT. I vote NO until all the real facts have been paid off.

D-Nile wrote on Jun 11, 2008 3:04 PM:you fox news watchers and rush listeners are so good at calling names and refering to kool-aid. Try reading and researching topics rather than blindly accepting a paid for opinion.

Marlboro Man wrote on Jun 11, 2008 3:58 PM:this has nothing to do with property rights. it has to do with you blowing your smoke in my air space. just because I own the bar dos'nt mean I can smoke inside it!

BILL wrote on Jun 11, 2008 4:22 PM:I can't see how Granite can expect anyone to believe there will be no inconveniences to the people of this valley, anyone with a little common sense can see an operation of this size is going to affect the region. Even if the dust from the blasting,digging,crushing,and hauling wasn't going to be a big deal the additional traffic from the gravel,cement and asphalt trucks and equipment entering,traveling and exiting on 15 will make a mess of traffic,windsheilds and emissions in one condensed area(sure it will reduce traffic in Riverside county where it is spread out and place it in one hub right here!). Not to mention the effect it will have on the preserve. To much of a price to pay so Granite can save money on fuel costs and as for all the employment opportunities mentioned above,I don't believe it will do much for the local unemployed,maybe a few but not enough to justify 50 to 75 years of tearing up the mountain.

What is Silicosis wrote on Jun 11, 2008 4:46 PM:The following information is a direct quote from the OSHA website for silicosis, or exposure to silica dust.

"What is crystalline silica?

Crystalline silica is a basic component of soil, sand, granite, and many other minerals. Quartz is the most common form of crystalline silica. Cristobalite and tridymite are two other forms of crystalline silica. All three forms may become respirable size particles when workers chip, cut, drill, or grind objects that contain crystalline silica.

What are the hazards of crystalline silica?

Silica exposure remains a serious threat to nearly 2 million U.S. workers, including more than 100,000 workers in high risk jobs such as abrasive blasting, foundry work, stonecutting, rock drilling, quarry work and tunneling. Crystalline silica has been classified as a human lung carcinogen. Additionally, breathing crystalline silica dust can cause silicosis, which in severe cases can be disabling, or even fatal. The respirable silica dust enters the lungs and causes the formation of scar tissues, thus reducing the lungs' ability to take in oxygen. There is no cure for silicosis. Since silicosis affects lung function, it makes one more susceptible to lung infections like tuberculosis. In addition, smoking causes lung damage and adds to the damage caused by breathing silica dust."

I'll believe OSHA long before I believe anything that comes out of the mouth of a Granite employee! Check it out, this is readily available on the internet, it is not conjecture or uninformed opinion. Go to the OSHA website and search for "Chrystalline Silica Exposure." There is plenty more info that discusses the dangers and risks of this carcinogen.

Bill One wrote on Jun 11, 2008 8:52 PM:For all of you that are appalled at the idea of this quarry going in I would ask where you think it should go. We need quarries. The house you live in was built with the materials that came from a quarry. And please don"t say " anywhere but in my back yard". Where would you have it go?

Bill wrote on Jun 12, 2008 5:38 AM:To be perfectly honest that is for the mining company to figure out. At any rate there HAS to be a more socially and environmentally responsible site... You can mot tell me there isn't. The only reason for this location is purely profit margin,because of the proximity to 15 freeway and San Diego.

Middle of the road wrote on Jun 12, 2008 8:42 AM:We all know that th rock is going to go to San Diego. They are hurting for aggregates there. And to all the folks crying about how it looks. Right where Qualcomm stadium is,it used to be an aggregate site. Look at the hills you can still see the benches. But you'd have to look for them to realize that area is a reclaimed site.

As for this quarry. I'm not in favor of it. It is in a poor location. Out of site does not mean out of mind. If they do not keep up with the dust control they will let it go off of the property. I for one will be reporting that if they do. If they can't keep the dust on their property they will be fined everytime. Enough times and it'll close.

Long time resident wrote on Jun 12, 2008 7:54 PM:As a member of this community since 1979 and having family in this valley since 1909 I have something to say about Liberty Quarry. Yes I am in the industry; no I am not a paid consultant. The cost too transport aggregate has risen $3-$4 per ton since 2000. What used to cost $5 to haul now costs $8-$9. The fact is simple, if it does not grow, it must be mined. I wonder how many people that are against Liberty lived here 3, 5, 10, 20 years ago. I would bet less than 25%. YOUR houses, roads, schools, bridges, and shopping centers had to be built on something. Each house requires 100 cubic yards of material to construct. 30 yards for the slab, 10 yards for the plaster, 10 yards for the backfill of sewer and water, 50 yards for the asphalt, sidewalks, & road base. I remember when Temecula was called “Rancho California” and less then 10,000 people lived here. Homes in Starlight Ridge sold new for $84,500 in 1984. It is 24 years later, houses that sold for $500,000 18 months ago, are now lucky to sell for $350,000. And yet the cost for building materials has only increased. Diesel 8 years ago was $1.50 per gallon, 5 years ago $2.00 per gallon, last year $3.00 per gallon, and today is $5.29 per gallon. Do the math. If you don’t like development, then how could YOUR house have been built? If you don’t like traffic, then where did YOU drive here from? Give Granite a chance. Rosemary’s Mountain in San Diego began the permitting process in 1984, and still has not shipped 1 pound of rock. If I was a NIMBY like everyone who is against Liberty, YOUR house would not have been built!
As for Silica Dust. Most people forget that Oceanside had a Silica sand mine at the corner of Oceanside Blvd & El Camino Real for 30 years. Today that site is being turned into a 400 + acre park. Corona had a Silica mine at I-15 & Cajalco rd for 20 years. Now that site is a major shopping center. I have never read of many deaths because of silicosis.

Donna wrote on Jun 23, 2008 2:19 PM:Do you really think these blokes are mining granite? Hah! Granite! Nice name for a company that produces aggregate for cement, roads, parking lots. Park your car near one of these sites and see what happens to the finish. Your lungs WILL BE affected if exposed to high levels of the particles produced at the quarry site. I'd be more concerned for the workers at the site than people living outside the "safe zone" surrounding the site which by the way can easily be determined based on available particle sampling data. Get ready to move neighbors! It's sad that we have to keep building instead of selling what's already been built (it's greener!) and destroying land in the process. To double digit growth Granite!