Maurice River Twp. man changes his mind on VX

Thursday, August 24, 2006

By JEAN JONES

Staff Writer

MAURICE RIVER TWP. -- Waterman George Kumor has changed his mind about the disposal of VX nerve gas effluent in the Delaware River and bay and has asked the township committee to do the same.

"I had asked the township committee to oppose VX, but I have changed my position," Kumor told the committee at its August meeting.

Kumor said it's healthy to be skeptical, but there is a difference between skepticism and stubbornness.

He has met with fishermen and environmentalists, he said, and thinks the disposal can be done safely.

"I asked you to pass a resolution against this and now I ask you to rescind it," Kumor said. "I want to go along with it as long as there is involvement of local people. I would ask the township committee to cooperate with the Army. They're doing all the right things."

Mayor Ron Riggins noted that Maurice River had the first public hearing on VX disposal in the county and it was attended by many people.

As a bayshore community, Maurice River would be directly affected.

"It would be good to take a leadership role and deal with the federal government," he said.

Riggins said he would be willing to take Kumor's request under advisement.

Committeeman Andy Sarclette thanked Kumor for getting involved and standing up and saying he changed his mind, and why.

Committeeman Norman Franckle said he didn't mind taking another look at it.

"It has to be destroyed and it has to go somewhere," he said.

Riggins reminded residents of their opposition to having a sexual predator facility built in the township a few years ago, losing the township financial advantages that might have eliminated the local purpose tax.

"There was a knee-jerk reaction because of the name," he said. "Because of ignorance and not taking the time to research and study it and because a handful of people opposed it."

Riggins, who was an employee of the Department of Corrections at the time, had argued that the offenders already were in the local prisons and a special facility would provide more security.

Kumor has suggested that if there is cooperation by area communities, it might be possible to get some concessions, such as 24-hour monitoring while the effluent is being processed.

The active ingredient of VX already will have been neutralized before the material is shipped here from Newport, Ind.

DuPont would provide final treatment to remove other components before it is discharged into the Delaware River and, eventually, the bay.