Anniston Star
July 24, 2003

Editorial

Burning issues

In our opinion
07-24-2003

Emergency preparedness has and always will be an important issue for this community as long as the chemical weapons stockpile at the Anniston Army Depot is with us.

We as residents of this part of Northeast Alabama must do our part to be educated about what to do in case of an accident or incident at the Depot. And the local, state and federal officials dealing with emergency preparedness must do all they can to make sure everything is in order.

That has not been the case in the past and continues to be a problem today.

Yet, it is important to understand that the threat is with us now. It does not grow alarmingly more so when the incinerator begins operations. In fact, the danger to the community begins to fall off as soon as the destruction process begins.

It is important for the health of the people and economy of our region to start this process quickly.

Gov. Riley, then, should be encouraged to give his approval to the initiation of the destruction process in the very near furure.