Saturday, January 12, 2013
SECOND WOOLWICH CHLOROBENZENE INVESTIGATION UNDERWAY
The first one was thirty years ago and involved the Township's Works Department responding to repeated complaints of discoloured (orange) liquids discharging at the east end of Howard St. to a surface ditch that then ran towards the Canagagigue Creek. That investigation also involved the former Woolwich CAO, Bill Kowalchuk, who went on to work full time for Varnicor Chemical as their government and waste licensing liason.
The owner of Varnicolor (Severin Argenton) also was involved as the finger was pointed towards them due to a variety of subsurface drains from the Varnicolor site into the Howards St. storm drains. Various pieces of evidence have been provided by yours truly to assist in this investigation being conducted at the highest levels within the Township.
The rationale, at least from my perspective, for this investigation is a follows. The M.O.E. and their partner in pollution, Chemtura, have long claimed that Uniroyal/Chemtura are the sole source of Chlorobenzene to the Elmira Aquifers. At one time they even claimed that Uniroyal/Chemtura were the sole source of all contamination to Elmira's drinking water aquifers but that falsehood has long been disproven. Chlorobenzene was detected in the Howard St. storm drain which runs between the former Borg Textiles and the former Varnicolor Chemical. Both of these companies are absolutely excellent possibilities for improper disposal of chlorobenzene based upon both the type and nature of chemicals they handled as well as their disposal history although the nod must certainly go to Varnicolor as their disposal history is well documented including jail time for the owner.
The M.O.E. were solely responsible to determine all the sources to the multiple chemicals found in the south wellfield in 1989. They, in my opinion, intentionally ignored other sources such as Varnicolor Chemical until we the citizens publicly embarassed and humiliated them into doing their jobs. The experience that Rich Clausi and I had was that the only way we ever got cooperation from the M.O.E. was by publicly hammering them. They were either at our throats or at our heels and we preferred them at our heels when they made it clear that an honest, respectful relationship wouldn't work for them.
It's time again. The M.O.E. continue to defend the indefensible and they need to be publicly raked over the coals if Elmira citizens including CPAC are to proceed to the next level in getting the Elmira Aquifers cleaned up.
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Elected officials might think people out there are fools and don't really care. This is not the case in our church. Though we don't blast our feelings in the media we do speak freely at meetings and when together. If polluters (poisoners) and political weak kneed leaders think all is going smoothly and under wraps by doing P/R work and the odd dimple of effort in clean up, you all better think again. The word l'm hearing is most will be tossed from office next round of elections. As for the sad efforts in the clean up arena people are not happy with the lack of effort and lies. For the love of money or power you sell your souls to the highest bidder. Total shame on you all and the price WILL be paid. The true harm for our loved ones will soon be felt in our homes, hospitals and against our health care. Certain people are being mentioned as morally bankrupt. Days are numbered for some, and I will have a hand in making this so. Enjoy your day.
ReplyDeleteThis Bad Boy person is right on the money. The getting together as a unit for a louder voice may be hard to do but the word in the community speaks volumes. I agree the council is toast. Flying the family colors of yellow might be how council opens meetings. Sir, your Advocate is making waves as an honest news report. Something that's rare these days. Putting this site on Facebook might be a way to go.
ReplyDeleteQuite frankly although this Blog has been ongoing now since May 2010 I really am not computer savy. I also don't know from beans in regards to facebook or other social media. In regards to our local Woolwich Council I am still conflicted. So far they have as a group been supportive of CPAC but a whole lot less so regarding Bio-fuel and gravel pits. I see the gamut from weak, uninformed councillors to very strong and knowlegable ones. I see honesty and I see pettiness on our council. Which will surface and which will overcome on any given issue is a mystery to me.
ReplyDeleteHey buddy. Fear not let me do the facebook gig for your site around the pollution thing in this City and the weak voices that hide behind gravestones. This can go world wide in a short time. l have read so many past articles l was really impressed Allan. People out there should be hearing about your site. A true fighter for a clean environment.....that should sell. l'm on it.
ReplyDeleteDark Knight: Thank you for the kind words. My wife tells me she could do the Facebook thing for me but is skeptical about it. I certainly don't want you wasting your time on something that I'm very lukewarm about. If you look up last name Marshall on Church St. in Elmira you will find my phone number. Feel free to call and talk about this.
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