A Burning Issue at Pine Bluff
(The following was excerpted from the July 1998 issue of "Common Sense", the newsletter of the Chemical Weapons Working Group, published by the Kentucky Environmental Foundation.)
The Arkansas Chapter of Women's Actions for New Directions (WAND) sponsored a Family Walk to the Arsenal on June 7, 1998 in Pine Bluff, AR. The purpose of the Walk was "to provide as much information [on the incineration issue] to the Arkansas public as possible in order to make good decisions for our families." A pre-walk program featured Steve Jones, the former Safety Manager at the Utah chemical weapons incinerator, who was fired after raising serious safety concerns about the plant.
Following the walk, Colonel Gary Motsek, Commanding Officer for the Pine Bluff Arsenal, answered questions about chemical weapons disposal which were provided in advance by the WAND group. WAND member Sheila Witherington said the Walk "was a great success," and that WAND "exceeded our goals and we have begun a long-term relationship directly with Col. Motsek."
The Walk was attended by women, children and men from many different backgrounds, some carrying red, white and blue balloons. Also attending the Walk were several individuals representing other Arkansas organizations supporting safe disposal of chemical weapons, such as Pine Bluff for Safe Disposal and the Disabled American Veterans.
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