Residents of Anniston should beware of the EPA and Monsanto developing a “cleanup” plan for PCBs.First, it is entirely too suspicious that the EPA and Monsanto are readying to ask a federal court to approve their negotiated “cleanup” plan when the state court is poised to impose its own plan. The EPA could have participated in the state court proceeding to ensure that the state court’s plan was adequate or it could have waited to see the state court plan before asking a federal court to step in.
Second, under the federal Superfund program, “cleanup” is frequently better described as “cover up” because contaminants are not removed from the community but are merely centralized and covered with clean soil. Many communities object to these “cover up” remedies to no avail.
Third, even where the EPA does order a “cleanup,” it frequently allows contamination to remain at levels which most communities believe continue to present an unacceptable risk of causing cancer.
Finally, the EPA is required to consider cost in the selection of the remedy. This often results in a remedy which is not preferred by the community. Anniston would probably be better off if the State court devised the cleanup plan. The EPA’s action, especially its timing, is unfortunate.
David A. Ludder
General Counsel
Legal Environmental Assistance Foundation Inc.
Tallahassee, Fla.
Straightening the record
I’d like to respond to a recent letter to the editor that stated, “I don’t know much about gays’ acts.”There is nothing to know. Gay people are like straight people. They have mothers, fathers, brothers, and sisters; they love their families; most believe in God; and a great deal are college-educated and have successful careers. They still have love in their hearts. They just happen to love someone of their same gender.
The letter also stated, “And I wouldn’t want a perverted person for a teacher or preacher.”
This implies a belief that gay people are perverts. That is so not true. Whether people like it or not, good gay people are teaching in schools and preaching in pulpits and are loved by their students and their congregations.
Then the letter said, “And a judge must be able to discern between right and wrong.”
Unfortunately, some judges judge cases for political gain and/or for their own biased prejudices. Unfortunately, it strongly appears as if Judge Moore is one of those people.
A lot of good people voted for him and believed in him. And a lot of good people are having a hard time realizing he is not who they thought he was.
Amanda Abbett
Montevallo
An Auburn trustee
I have had the privilege of knowing Earlon McWhorter socially and in the business world for well over 30 years. From this experience I can say unequivocally that he only does business one way — thoroughly, honestly and correctly. His success since starting out as a partner in McWhorter & Co. substantiates the manner in which he conducts his business, and is proof that he needs no special favors from any financial institution. For your newspaper to imply that he would sell his soul just because he is a trustee of Auburn University and a fellow trustee of the chairman of a large bank is preposterous and is strongly indicative that your journalist did not do enough investigation before publishing.
In my opinion, Anniston and Calhoun County are fortunate to have McWhorter & Co. headquartered here, and to have Betty and Earlon as citizens.
As an alumnus of Auburn University I am proud that Earlon is a trustee of my alma mater. He is the kind of person needed.
Ralph P. Bolt
Anniston
Radioactive
I commend The Star for its article, “Radioactive Material Found Near McClellan Treated with Caution,” which disclosed that in addition to our PCB and chemical weapons problems, Calhoun County also has a radioactive waste problem. Our community needs to know all it can about these critical human health matters. According to the article, the Army learned last October that it had buried Cesium 137 and Cobalt 60, both of which emit deadly radioactive particles, near the Lenlock Community Center decades ago. However, the public remained unaware for five months.
The article reported that the Army plans to place a six-foot fence around the contaminated area “within the next six weeks.”
Given the close proximity of these radioactive elements to the community center and our two museums I believe the fence should have been erected months ago. Furthermore, the Army was reported as saying it did not know how long it would take to clean up the site.
This is unacceptable. We cannot have another delay like the one surrounding the commission’s efforts to secure needed funding for safety items related to the chemical weapons stockpile.
This article contains three lessons as our community continues to grapple with the problems of the chemical weapons stockpile.
Our citizens must be skeptical about information the Army provides us. The article clearly shows the Army sometimes does not provide Calhoun County with important information.
Second, we must be vigilant in our emergency planning and demand the best possible safety measures for our citizens.
As this article correctly notes, the Army failed to dig up these radioactive elements at Fort McClellan years ago simply because of human error. We may have a $1 billion incinerator, but the best technology can never fully account for the mistakes people inevitably make.
Finally, the article underscores that our community still does not know all the environmental problems in our backyard.
I have long advocated for a comprehensive environmental and health baseline study to be conducted in Calhoun County prior to the beginning of the destruction of the chemical weapons stockpile.
The Star has also editorialized in favor of this position.
James A. “Pappy” Dunn
Commissioner, District 1
Anniston
