The Anniston Star’s July 11 editorial, “More Burning Issues,” is a continuation of The Star’s factual ignorance and perpetuation of the Army’s point-of-view. How else could anyone explain The Star’s failure to push the Army to live up to its promises to Calhoun County to provide all of the safety items listed in writing by Under-Secretary of Defense Pete Aldridge more than eight months ago?The Star’s editorial “team” loves to criticize the Calhoun County Emergency Management Agency for not embarking on a public information campaign. Yet, The Star knows it would be irresponsible to spread information that is likely to change. Until the critical funding and protective action decision issues are concluded and funding is in place, the EMA cannot and will not spread false information or information that would have to be retracted.
The editorial page’s criticism of the EMA’s lack of cooperation is an insult to The Star’s readers’ intelligence. The Star would love for the EMA to join it, hiding our heads in the sand, thereby allowing the Army to do as they please with no regard for public safety. That will never happen, and the EMA will continue to tell the truth about our actual level of preparation.
No, Calhoun County is not prepared for a chemical accident, but the EMA’s “lack of cooperation” is not the reason. In fact, it is our unwillingness to be a “yes man” that has gotten this county the emergency preparedness items we do have. This agency is committed to making the federal government honor its legal and moral obligation to provide “maximum protection.” That means, in addition to the hoods and Level A protection, we will push very hard to have our schools and hospitals over-pressurized and accurate toxicity thresholds implemented in all areas of emergency planning.
Michael A. Burney
Executive Director
Calhoun County EMA
Stock slide
In light of the frightening revelations in the past six months regarding Enron and WorldCom, the people of Alabama are overdue for a full accounting of just how much money has been lost by the Retirement Systems of Alabama investing in just those two entities alone. Dr. David G. Bronner, CEO of RSA, has made tacit references to the problem while statewide media has cautiously danced around with spotty coverage.
Dr. Bronner and all responsible media must give a full detailed accounting to the good citizens of Alabama who have their retirement entrusted to RSA and Bronner’s management. He is also ultimately accountable to every citizens of this state. Just to clear the air, why not give us an accounting of the amount of RSA funds lost in poor or improper investments in the past 10 years.
Enron and WorldCom and their accounting firm Arthur Andersen & Co, are sobering examples of why the public can no longer afford to trust anyone in business — even the biggest of the big guys.
James W. Anderson
Talladega
Phone number
A typographical error in a recent letter to The Anniston Star from Anniston Chemical Activity provided an incorrect telephone number for the Anniston Outreach Office.The correct number is (256) 238-0120. Our apologies for any inconvenience this has caused to all parties.
Cathy Coleman
Anniston
