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TCI reps fail to show at public meeting
Aug 17, 2012 12:59 am
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Didi Barrett[/caption]On Thu., Aug., 16, hundreds of citizens attended the meeting organized by Assemblymember Didi Barrett at 6:30 p.m., at the West Ghent Volunteer Fire Department Station on Route 9H. Brian Hemlock, co-owner of TCI Inc., was said to be attending, but Barrett reported that he could not be there because of a death in his family. No other TCI representatives were present, and, when the crowd learned all that, Barrett lost control of the meeting with several outbursts from the crowd. [caption id="" align="alignright" width="200"]
Photo by Jeffrey Lependorf.[/caption]Barrett assembled various government officials from the Environmental Protection Agency, and state department's of health and environment, but the crowd was angry about the lack of the company's participation. WGXC's Noah Reibel was there to record the meeting in parts, edited for radio airplay (WGXC will try and post the full recording soon). Click here to hear part one, here to hear part two, which starts with Paige Orloff questioning officials. Part three, available here, includes Columbia County Sheriff’s Office Lt. Thomas Lanphear saying, “We dropped the ball," about communication with residents after the fire. Part four includes another outraged resident. Click here to hear that part.
John Mason from the Register-Star reports from the meeting:
• Columbia County Sheriff’s Office Lt. Thomas Lanphear, said, “We dropped the ball,” on communicating with residents in a timely and direct enough way.
• All the county’s supervisors but one, Robin Andrews of Claverack, and all Ghent Town Board members, did not attend.
• Courtney Powell, a fire auxiliary member, lives a quarter-mile from the fire, and said, “Who allowed this company to come into this area and not give us equipment to fight this fire? We didn’t have foam — shame on Columbia County. I’ve had health problems coming out my ears I can’t explain. When I ask to get samples, I’m told to go to TCI — what a joke. When I asked these officials if they would eat a salad out of my garden, I get no answers."
Read the full story in the Register-Star.
PLAY PART ONE OF TCI MEETING IN WEST GHENT 4:50
PLAY PART TWO OF TCI MEETING IN WEST GHENT 3:55
PLAY PART THREE OF TCI MEETING
PLAY PART FOUR OF TCI MEETING
Didi Barrett[/caption]On Thu., Aug., 16, hundreds of citizens attended the meeting organized by Assemblymember Didi Barrett at 6:30 p.m., at the West Ghent Volunteer Fire Department Station on Route 9H. Brian Hemlock, co-owner of TCI Inc., was said to be attending, but Barrett reported that he could not be there because of a death in his family. No other TCI representatives were present, and, when the crowd learned all that, Barrett lost control of the meeting with several outbursts from the crowd. [caption id="" align="alignright" width="200"]Photo by Jeffrey Lependorf.[/caption]Barrett assembled various government officials from the Environmental Protection Agency, and state department's of health and environment, but the crowd was angry about the lack of the company's participation. WGXC's Noah Reibel was there to record the meeting in parts, edited for radio airplay (WGXC will try and post the full recording soon). Click here to hear part one, here to hear part two, which starts with Paige Orloff questioning officials. Part three, available here, includes Columbia County Sheriff’s Office Lt. Thomas Lanphear saying, “We dropped the ball," about communication with residents after the fire. Part four includes another outraged resident. Click here to hear that part.John Mason from the Register-Star reports from the meeting:
• Columbia County Sheriff’s Office Lt. Thomas Lanphear, said, “We dropped the ball,” on communicating with residents in a timely and direct enough way.
• All the county’s supervisors but one, Robin Andrews of Claverack, and all Ghent Town Board members, did not attend.
• Courtney Powell, a fire auxiliary member, lives a quarter-mile from the fire, and said, “Who allowed this company to come into this area and not give us equipment to fight this fire? We didn’t have foam — shame on Columbia County. I’ve had health problems coming out my ears I can’t explain. When I ask to get samples, I’m told to go to TCI — what a joke. When I asked these officials if they would eat a salad out of my garden, I get no answers."
Read the full story in the Register-Star.
PLAY PART ONE OF TCI MEETING IN WEST GHENT 4:50
PLAY PART TWO OF TCI MEETING IN WEST GHENT 3:55
PLAY PART THREE OF TCI MEETING
PLAY PART FOUR OF TCI MEETING