CWWG director appointed to state weapons advisory board
By Ronica Brandenburg/Register News Writer

Craig Williams, director of the Chemical Weapons Working Group (CWWG) based in Berea, has been appointed by Gov. Ernie Fletcher to the Kentucky Chemical Demilitarization Citizens' Advisory Commission.

Williams has spent the past several years heading the CWWG, a citizens' watchdog group focusing on the destruction of weapons at the Blue Grass Army Depot.

He will continue fulfilling his duty as CWWG director, but his time will be shared with the CDCAC, which serves as a liaison between the community and the Department of Defense. The group's mission is "to provide a mechanism for the thorough and objective exchange of information among the citizens of Kentucky, the Army and other organizations involved in the chemical weapons demilitarization program."

The commission is comprised of nine members. Seven are members of the community at large and two are state officials. Commission members are allowed to serve an unlimited term at the governor's discretion.

Williams was notified of his appointment by a letter dated May 25.

"We diligently strive to appoint individuals who will serve fairly and honestly and always act in the best interest of the Commonwealth," Fletcher wrote. "I have every confidence in your abilities to serve your fellow Kentuckians with the honor and distinction they deserve."

"I'm very pleased to have been appointed," Williams said. "We continue to engage in critical decisions that are important in the objective and the (CDCAC) has historically played a very important role in getting decisions made that are of the best interest of the community."

Williams was an original member of the commission in 1993 and served until 1997, at which time he stepped down because of his "very strong advocacy on certain issues."

At the time of his resignation from the commission, the group was discussing incineration, or burning, as a way to destroy the weapons. Williams has always shown strong opposition to this option, he said.

Now that the commission has moved on to the idea of neutralization, Williams said he is more comfortable with being a member.

"Being on this commission will be helpful in one of my greatest areas of interest which is to ensure a consistent and steady path toward executing this program," he said.

Williams, 56, is a decorated Vietnam War veteran and a graduate of the Defense Language Institute in Washington, D.C. He was a member of the Army serving in the military police, the criminal investigation division and military intelligence; a member of the Vietnam Veterans Against The War steering committee; a graduate of Eastern Kentucky University, BA Philosophy; attended the University of Kentucky Law School; is executive director of the Kentucky Environmental Foundation; co-founder of Common Ground - Kentuckians for Safe Disposal of Chemical Weapons; founder and executive director of the Kentucky Environmental Foundation Inc.; and co-founder and U.S. project director of the Russian/American Cooper-ation Project on Chemical Safety and the International Project on Military Toxics.

Williams is a native of New York City and has resided in Kentucky since 1975. He is a husband, father of three children and a grandfather of two.

Ronica Brandenburg can be reached at rbrandenburg@ richmondregister.com or 623-1669, Ext. 234.