Bill Egerer is sure he isn't alone in that belief, and wants his neighbors to unite in action.

"We have a problem here because there is no organized group of Midland residents," Egerer said. "If they want to come in and dig up the entire town, we need one."

A launch of the group will take place at 11 a.m. Tuesday at Ned S. Arbury Park, which is kitty-corner from the Santa House on Main Street.

While the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality hasn't said exactly what plans are for dealing with dioxin in Midland soils, testing is expected to begin in upcoming weeks. Previous samples showed levels higher than the state's residential direct contact criteria of 90 parts per trillion in areas northeast of The Dow Chemical Co.'s Michigan Operations plant.

The company's remediation plan, a requirement of the operating permit issued last June, is under review by the MDEQ and the two are in discussions about final approval.

City of Midland officials said nearly 9,000 homes and about 21,000 people could be affected by remediation plans.

Based on the DEQ's public stance that the 90 ppt criteria will be strictly adhered to, Egerer said he believes the DEQ is being irrational.

"I thought once everyone had a chance to voice their opinions, the MDEQ would use common sense and science to determine plans for a safe community environment," he said. "I finally came to the conclusion that that wasn't happening."

Egerer hopes the resident group will be a channel for Midlanders to voice their opinions. Thus far, their interests have been largely ignored by the DEQ in favor of environmentalists from out of town, he said.

"The entire purpose of resolving the dioxin issue should be for the residents and their health," he said. "Yet, the MDEQ process, their decisions and the media seem to overlook the residents -- the key stakeholder."

The group will be independent from Dow, from environmental groups and from government entities, Egerer said.

"We are simply residents who live and own homes in Midland who want this fine community to maintain and prosper."

Three retired Dow scientists, Warren Crummett, Brock Neely and Etcyl Blair, are expected to speak at the group's launch.