MORE ON UNIROYAL's "PINK SPILL" & THEIR RETURN TO CPAC

At a CPAC meeting in late March 2000 Crompton's recent spill of Toluene (Pink Spill) was under discussion. Pat Mclean, David Ireland (M.O.E.), Henry Regier (then of APT) and myself, Al Marshall were discussing who was responsible for the damage to the Elmira Sewage Treatment Plant and the creek. I asked Dave Ireland "Is there any other possible candidate in Elmira that has those volumes of toluene (other than Uniroyal)" David's response was "I'm not aware of any other company.". Keep in mind this was months if not years prior to Uniroyal finally admitting that they did it.

The year 2000 was particularily bad for Uniroyal as I'm about to clarify. It was hardly surprising that even the Canadian Chemical Producers Asscociation weren't able to hold their noses (literally?) and give Uniroyal verification under the *Responsible Care program. On March 22/2000 Bob Burtt of the K-W Record wrote a story outlining Uniroyal's current tribulations. These included facing 20 odour related charges for their fumigations of Duke St. and Elmira, Ontario. Secondly they were facing an Environmental Appeal Board Hearing regarding the M.O.E. Control Order which they appealed. The Control Order mandated public meetings on air emissions as well as greater work on-site to reduce those air emissions. Thirdly the ongoing uproar both by local authorities (Region of Waterloo & M.O.E.) as well as by CPAC and the public over Uniroyal's "pink spill" and their failure to admit to the damage they were responsible for.

The March 24, 2000 Elmira Independent had an article by Julie Sawyer regarding the "pink spill". Kieran Kelly, the Woolwich Fire Chief, suggested that approximately 800 gallons had been released. Tim Boose of Uniroyal advised that he had phoned the Elmira Sewage Treatment Plant at about 9:30 am. to advise them of a possible problem. They already were facing it. Ron Ormson of CPAC suggested that Fishing Act charges were possibly due because of the toluene in the creek.

In the April 18, 2000 K-W Record Henry Regier suggested that Uniroyal's proposed Open House on the matter was inadequate. Sylvia berg was also quoted on the matter. I stated "An open house will be a dog and pony show.".

Two days later in the Elmira Independent I was quoted by Julie Sawyer as saying "I'm not going tom sit through another CPAC dog and pony show. I will come out for a public meeting.". Clearly Uniroyal preferred a much more controllable format such that they would not be confronted by hard questioning from the public.

On April 27, 2000 in the K-W Record, it was announced that one of Uniroyal's allies on CPAC namely the Chamber of Commerce, had resigned from CPAC. Sylvia Berg responded in the Record and quite frankly, in my opinion, made asses out of the Chamber and their decision to support Uniroyal in this fashion.

Finally we had the Open House and as described in the April 28, 2000 K-W Record; David Ash and Uniroyal were confronted by the "Lawn Chair Brigade". This was the first time in fourteen months that David Ash faced UPAC. Quoting Bob Burtt "He made it clear Thursday he still regards the advisory committee as a waste of time for the company.". David Ash stated "They (UPAC) aren't regarded well in the community.". present at this meeting were UPAC members as well as Shannon Purvis Smith and Barb Zupko.

On May 27, 2000 the Woolwich Observer published an Editorial in which they crapped all over Uniroyal's citizen "survey", Uniroyal's behaviour, their verbal diarrhea, and finally their taking credit for work ordered by the Ontario Ministry of Environment.

All in all tough times for Uniroyal and their supporters in Elmira. Sorry but their return to UPAC/CPAC is upcoming.