Because Adage is a limited liability company, by definition it is hedging its liability bets. Many arguments by its apologists were heard this night claiming the public was at little or no risk and it was going to be a boon to the community. But if that were so, why would Ariva and Dupe Energy feel compelled to distance themselves so completely from accountability for its impact? Like Asarco, when the damage is tolled, the company will vanish under law.
Packed Shelton Civic Center ORCAA hearing
Turnout was heavy (250+) for both the afternoon and evening session of the ORCAA Hearing held for public comment on 1-31-11 in the Shelton Civic Center. The convenience of a local venue contributed to the numbers.
Visitors bored by community town hall meeting
Many familiar faces were present along with some not so much. The least of these were the members of organized labor unions from surrounding counties urged by Adage reps to attend in a show of support it knew was lacking in the community. The visiting union members were easily identified by their hard hats, orange T-shirts, union logos and Adage stickers liberally festooned in every conceivable space on their outer garments including those that proclaimed “Jobs, Jobs, Jobs.”
Visitors encounter distant drummers
Tom Duponte and Jim Gaston (Adage PR shills) attended. Notably absent were our elected County and Port Commissioners with the exception of Jack Miles despite a recent invitation extended for them to come to the barrio and listen to the community. This hearing, intensely moderated, would have been an ideal opportunity to do so if they had a scintilla of desire to represent residents in a responsible way. Commissioner Jerry Lingle was absent despite his vow of willingness to listen. Failed candidate Brenda Hirschi was absent, as was Nancy Williams, Justin Stang, and a host of others. Whether this was a result of ennui or resignation isn’t clear.
Duff demands ORCAA comply with EPA CO2 standards set in July, 2010
Duff Badgley argued for ORCAA abiding by federal and State law with respect to CO2 emission regulations/constraints imposed by the EPA as of July, 2010, thereby making its 3-year moratorium on the same moot under Washington law.
Mr. Bricklin, CCMC attorney, speaks out against BioMassacre
Mr. Bricklin, the environmental attorney hired by CCMC (concerned citizens) spoke out in opposition to the Adage permit application, characterizing ORCAA’s preliminary permit recommendation as premature and unlawful.
Shawnie Vedder, shutterbug
Yours truly reached out to our brothers and sisters in the labor movement, challenging them to stand with the community rather than ally themselves with a predatory corporation such as Adage. Reference to our inalienable rights described in the Declaration of Independence was made. Jack Miles reminded ORCAA the people do not cede their sovereignty to the instruments of government conceived to serve them.
Gordon Lance, ORCAA engineer, recommends Adage application be permitted
The union members gulled into attending were as identifiable by their rhetoric as their appearance. Unlike the varied testimony by residents, much was thinly veiled/coached arguments from Adage’s well worn play book. As the meeting wore on, visible boredom overtook the visitors while residents remained singularly focused on the proceedings.
Ros tells of husband's tragic poisoning at the hands of Asarco
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During the break, one boilermaker opined tradesmen had more expertise on air pollution generated by industry than the Mason County medical community who (along with national medical expert organizations) had issued a formal declaration warning of the health effects Adage’s plant would bring as a result of the toxins released. Another spoke of how boilermakers were ‘environmentalists’.
They have no voice, they have no choice.
Many of the tired arguments advanced by Adage apologists, such as carbon-neutrality, jobs, smokestack prosperity, and vilification of environmentalists displayed the gap remaining to edify all the stakeholders in this ongoing saga. It is huge. The corporations are the enemy! Sadly, some of our working brothers and sisters have forgotten this is so. It was a page torn from the final chapter of Animal Farm. One had difficulty distinguishing between the union business reps and Adage’s corporate stooges.
