Mon
Aug 10 2009
03:02 pm
Head of EPA meets with Roane County Citizen's Action Group
By: WhitesCreek

In a surprise visit to the TVA site, EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson, spoke with members of the Roane County Citizen's Action Group who are charged with input into the cleanup process.

Update: KNS Story
The CAG is made up of representatives from several of the groups that formed in the community to deal with problems caused by TVA's catastrophe. Administrator Jackson's visit was low key and personal but demonstrated her strong commitment to the cleanup. She asked each of us for our particular concerns. She listened to what was said and called for responses from her staff to address the concerns. This is how things should be done. (You listening, TVA?)

Most concerns centered around getting accurate information reliably and quickly out to those in the community who were affected. TVA's failure to respond promptly with accurate answers to questions was mentioned by several CAG members. Leo Francendese, EPA OSC, said he would look into having all information posted or linked from the EPA website, which is linked over on the right column in the "Folks that Help" block.

We were all impressed and grateful for MS. Jackson's visit. More than that, we were impressed that we were listened to by the head of the Environmental Protection Agency.

Randy Ellis with EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson

Submitted by WhitesCreek on August 10, 2009 - 3:35pm.

Today in the EPA conference room (where the softball field used to be)CAG member, Randy Ellis with Administrator Jackson.

what a day!

Submitted by nomorelifeonswanpond on August 10, 2009 - 4:15pm.

I wondered why it was so secret... all hush, hush. Now I know.

When I entered the room, each person there came around and introduced themselves... by the time Ms. Lisa Jackson came by to introduce herself I grasped the importance of this event. I recognized her... and was glad that she had given us the opportunity to meet with her... we being members of the community, those forming the Community Advisory Group for the TVA disaster site.

She appeared comfortable dressed in her jeans, boots and EPA polo shirt. Ms. Jackson exchanged converstations with the group, expressed that she understood the community's need for solid communication and complete transparency regarding the clean-up process of the site.

As a member of this small community, I felt this moment to be one of major events that will have a positive impact in the clean-up of the largest environmental disaster in United States history.

Thank you to Ms. Jackson, and all others that were represented at the meeting.

And Randy.... I have to say I am jealous as I missed my photo op with Ms. Jackson! (I will have to work harder next time. Gee, I never forget my camera, until today that is.)

I wondered why it was so secret

Submitted by ConcernedCitizen on August 10, 2009 - 4:46pm.

"I wondered why it was so secret... all hush, hush. Now I know."

Could you please share with us the reason. I may be a little dense because I still don't know why is was secret.

I certainly think is was a giant step forward for her to come to Roane County. I appreciate her coming and I appreciate you telling us about it. However, to do so in secrecy seems to go against what you related to us that she said at the meeting:

"Ms. Jackson exchanged conversations with the group, expressed that she understood the community's need for solid communication and complete transparency regarding the clean-up process of the site."

CC

Submitted by nomorelifeonswanpond on August 10, 2009 - 5:12pm.

The "hush hush" I believe was due to Ms. Jackson's appearance at TVA..

With such an event there is usually a large number of people interested in seeing Ms. Jackson, and she was there to view the site and to meet some members of the community. I also believe that she was on a very tight schedule, preventing her from opening the meeting up to others, including the press. She did view the site, and went up for an aerial view also.

From what I understand, no local press was advised that she would be on scene... though I was informed that a few were trying diligently to find out what was going on there today.

As for my comment on the communication, she stated she understood the community's need for clear and accurate communication. Transparency was related to the fact that the community would have a information (again, clear and accurate) related to what was going on with the clean-up, which is what I believe WhitesCreek had mentioned in his post.

While I have no way of

Submitted by WhitesCreek on August 10, 2009 - 5:32pm.

While I have no way of knowing for sure, by not announcing her visit Administrator Jackson was able to meet with us and talk in a far less formal situation than would have been otherwise. The TVA honchos alone that would have wanted an audience would have cut into our time in a big way. This meeting was refreshing after the ones TVA has been involved in. All of the EPA personnel seemed completely candid and worked with us in a problem solving manner. I can't help but believe that TVA could save themselves a ton of money and trouble in the long run if they would come to a meeting with the same attitude and a willingness to get some problems solved. "I'm sorry" and "I feel your pain" doesn't work for anyone anymore.

I agree

Submitted by AMKT on August 10, 2009 - 7:05pm.

I believe that is exactly why they did it the way they did.
They wanted to talk to community members.
There were no TVA people in the meeting.
I really appreciate the fact that they respected the community enough to give us this opportunity.
I believe they left with a good understanding of how the community feels about the lack of information or misinformation that we have received from TVA so far.

Thanks for the

Submitted by ConcernedCitizen on August 10, 2009 - 5:28pm.

Thanks for the clarification.

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