Star Staff Writer
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| Claims administrator Ed Gentle speaks to the large crowd that gathered Saturday at the Anniston Entertainment Center to discuss the PCB settlement. Photo: Bill Wilson/The Anniston Star |
About 17,000 current and former Anniston-area residents are in the lawsuit, Tolbert v. Monsanto, which settled this summer for more than $300 million. This was the first of three community meetings organized to discuss and explain how the money will be distributed.
Roads leading to the entertainment center were jammed with cars. Parking overflowed into nearby streets, parks and fields. The lower level of the center was standing room only, with all stacking chairs and church-pew benches full.
The raised stage was flanked by sheriff’s officers and U.S marshals wearing suits, sent to protect U.S. District Judge U.W. Clemon, who is overseeing the settlement.
“I think this will be the biggest blood test in history,” said Ed Gentle, claims administrator, explaining that plaintiffs must be tested in order to determine their share of the settlement.
Each plaintiff is eligible for an initial $500 advance payment, which Gentle has said he hopes to distribute by the holidays.
The rest of the settlement money will be given out based on several factors that still have to be sorted out, including PCB blood levels, property ownership, illnesses and “proximity to ground zero,” Gentle said.
He hopes to have a second payment out by April, he said.
The lawsuit is one of many brought over the years against Monsanto, which for decades made polychlorinated biphenyls, or PCBs, at its plant in western Anniston. Congress banned the chemicals in the late 1970s because of health concerns, but PCBs linger in the environment and today contaminate local waterways and properties.
PCBs have been found in the blood of some residents, and have been blamed for local illnesses. Solutia, a spinoff company from Monsanto, now owns the plant and is conducting a cleanup.
When Saturday’s meeting was opened for questions, dozens of plaintiffs hurried to the front of the space to call out questions and complaints, while hundreds of others headed for exits.
“I want to know why it took so long for our lawyers to contact us about anything …” said one woman, to applause. “We should have been tested long ago and now it’s time to get paid … you treat us like we’re ignorant, and many of us are not.”
Gentle has been claims administrator for a total of 11 days, he said. “My commitment is to move this as fast as possible and be fair.”
Another person asked if all the plaintiffs will have to be tested before the money can be distributed.
“The payments will be made at the same time,” Clemon said, to a chorus of groans.
“We’re paying the advance payment as fast as we can,” Gentle said.
There were many questions about bankruptcy, about whether past PCB blood tests counted, and about what would happen if people die before they receive their checks.
More than one person demanded to know how the attorneys and administrators intend to bring back loved ones who have died.
Several residents privately indicated that mistrust and confusion continue to fester in the community.
“The attorneys should be here to explain this,” said L.C. Sims, his gray hair covered by a neat cap. “I think the people here is working for the company. I wouldn’t trust them at all.”
Willie Cobb, 55, said many people had come to the meeting expecting to receive $500 checks.
“I think they’re trying to do it as fairly as possible,” said Faye Gregory, 63. “It’s not going to satisfy everybody. That would take too long and be too complicated and be too expensive.”
“I have no problem with trusting him,” she said, gesturing towards Gentle. “You’ve got to trust someone.”