SKULDUGGERY TRIUMPHS AS CHEMTURA RECEIVES *RESPONSIBLE CARE VERIFICATION

Well at the very least Chemtura had the decency to be low key and quiet last evening when they announced they had received their *RC verification, albeit with one dissenting opinion. To say that their verifcation is tainted is a huge understatement. The lone dissenting opinion, in writing, was submitted by Dr. Dan Holt, Chair of the Woolwich Township appointed Chemtura Public Advisory Committee (CPAC). CPAC had made their position very clear a month ago at the January public CPAC meeting that Chemtura absolutely did not deserve to receive *RC verification based upon multiple failures on their part. As stated earlier Chemtura's West Hill facility was represented on the verification team as was CPAC with one solitary vote out of six. That vote was negative ie. incomplete for Chemtura.

This verification as also expressed earlier was a Do Over. The decision had been made early last December and it was appropriately negative based upon the negative vote of Dr. Dan (and CPAC). When Dr. Dan advised Woolwich Council of what he clearly understood was the team's decision, Chemtura went all postal on him. Unknown to Dr. Dan, Chemtura and the Chemical Industry Assoc'n of Canada (CIAC) were already discussing the Do Over.

As early as July 2011 I knew that the fix was in. When I found out that the current CPAC had but one vote and former CPAC Chair Pat McLean had been appointed to the verification team, I knew she was there by Chemtura's choice. Indeed when the chips were down Pat delivered in favour of Chemtura. This is completely in line with my opinions expressed here over the last couple of years and absolutely no surprise whatsoever. What is even more incredible to me is that as rigged as the verification team was, Chemtura and CIAC have advised us that other companies don't even use the pretence of going through community groups. In other words other companies appoint unilaterally their CAPs (citizen advisory panels) and then use them as their verification team. Finally as I also expressed here in the Advocate on January 29/13, Gail Martin's Editorial in the Elmira Independent was dead wrong. Gail claimed that Pat's vote would not change anything. Rubbish! Pat's vote was the deciding vote. If the two local residents and representatives (Dr. Dan & Pat) had voted negative the verification team would have been committing suicide by approving verification. As badly tainted as the decision already is, can you imagine the public disgust and contempt when they found out that our local ongoing polluter had received *RC verifcation contrary to both local reps?

There were three Delegates to last evening's CPAC meeting including myself, Richard Clausi and Councillor Mark Bauman. Richard made it clear that he had figured out the verification decision some time ago based upon the written comments of Bob Masterson of the CIAC. So much for Chemtura's paranoia around confidentiality. Yours truly in Table form showed the extent of the below computer modelled target pumping throughout the Elmira Aquifers over the last fourteen plus years.

Sebastian of CPAC dug into the recent excavations of old drums on the Chemtura site in the former M2 landfill. It took a little prodding but low and behold chemical wastes in the form of black tars were found and removed along with drum carcasses. These tars were not analysed for their chemical composition.

Yours truly as promised in yesterday's Advocate asked Chemtura to clarify the difference between statistically significant increases in chemicals in the Canagagigue Creek as it flows through Chemtura versus arithmetic means which for me appear more accurate and straightforward. Jeff Merriman of Chemtura has promised to so clarify at the next CPAC meeting on March 28/13.

More will be posted about last evening's CPAC meeting including the contributions of numerous CPAC and SWAT team members.