U.S. Rep. Ben Chandler, D-5th, is joining forces with U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., and others in speeding up the process of destroying chemical weapons stored at the Blue Grass Army Depot and in Colorado.
A letter from Chandler’s office was sent Oct. 19 to Ike Skelton, chairman of the House Armed Service Committee, and to Duncan Hunter, a ranking committee member, in support of the recent 2008 Defense Authorization Bill that was an effort of McConnell and Sen. Wayne Allard of Colorado.
The letter also is signed by U.S. Reps. John Salzar, D-Colo., Geoff Davis, R-Ky., Harold Rogers, R-Ky., Ron Lewis, R-Ky., Ed Whitfield, R-Ky., Mark Udall, D-Colo., Diana DeGette, D-Colo., Marilyn Musgrave, R-Colo., and John Yarmuth, D-Ky.
A previous Pentagon budget proposal moved the deadline for chemical weapons destruction from 2012 (which was set by the international Chemical Weapons Convention) to 2023. The deadline already has been extended from 2007 to 2012 as a result of funding stopped by the Pentagon in 2005.
Chandler reminded Skelton and Hunter that the Chemical Weapons Convention treaty requires weapons disposal by 2012.
“The 523 tons of nerve and blister agent at the Blue Grass depot, and the 2,611 tons of mustard agency at the Pueblo (Colo.) depot pose serious risks as the Cold War-era weapons continue to age becoming less stable and serve as terrorist targets,” Chandler wrote. “Not only would a shorter deadline help protect these communities, but it would also save taxpayers about $3.3 billion.”
The bill states: “The United States is committed to making every effort to safely dispose of its entire chemical weapons stockpile by the Chemical Weapons Convention extended deadline of April 29, 2012, or as soon thereafter as possible, and will carry out all of its other obligations under that convention.”
Establishing a new, closer deadline “will ensure that cleanup will be a top priority,” Allard said.
The Senate version of the fiscal year 2008 Defense Authorization Bill includes the 2017 deadline, “which is absolutely essential for the safe disposal of dangerous chemical weapons on American soil. We are urging conferees to include this critical language in the final bill,” Chandler wrote.
Construction of the pilot plant continues and so far has cost $43,025,148 with $25,438,634 going to Madison County businesses, $2,050,324 going to Kentucky businesses outside of Madison County and $15,536,190 going to businesses outside the state, according to information released in the October project status.
Roadway concrete, potable water and sewer, perimeter fencing, access road, active security vehicle barrier, control building, associated utilities and temporary electrical substation all have been completed.
The update includes works in progress, including the installation of underground utilities, a personnel support building and a maintenance building.
Visit pmacwa.army.mil for more information about the Blue Grass Army weapons disposal project.
Ronica Shannon can be reached at rshannon@richmondregister.com or 623-1669, Ext. 234.
Local News
Officials seek faster destruction of weapons
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Friday at library : Lecturer to portray founder of Berea
John G. Fee, abolitionist and founder of both Berea and Berea College, will be portrayed Friday night by performer Obadiah Ewing-Roush as part of Kentucky Humanities Council Chautauqua performance series at the Madison County Public Library. There is no charge to attend the 7 p.m. event.
As the son of a slave-holding father, Fee witnessed firsthand the benefits of having slaves and the profits that could be made from their labor. When he graduated from college and enrolled in Lane Theological Seminary, he began to understand the inherent wrong and destructiveness of slavery. -
Berea woman dies Tuesday in Laurel County crash
A Berea woman, Tommie Johnson, 60, died Tuesday evening in a Laurel County crash, according to the the Laurel Sheriff’s Office.
The accident took place about 7 p.m. at the junction of Maple Grove Road and KY 363 south of London, as Johnson was attempting to turn onto the state highway.
Laurel County Chief Deputy Eddy Sizemore said Johnson’s Chevrolet Cavalier pulled out in front of a Dodge Durango driven by Charles Joseph, 19, that was traveling south on KY 363.
After being extricated from her vehicle, Johnson was transported to St. Joseph-London hospital, where she was pronounced dead.
Joseph also was transported to the hospital, where he was treated for minor injuries, according to the accident report. -
Finally February
Ian Rosser, an Eastern Kentucky University student from Lexington, clears snow from his car parked on campus Wednesday
morning after about an inch of snow fell in Richmond. Temperatures are forcast to be in the upper 40s today. Kentucky has seen a lot of rain in the past few months, as was predicted by the Farmer's Almanac, but very little snow has fallen. -
Volunteers needed for equine therapy
The Appalachian Foothills Therapeutic Equestrian Center will be hosting two, one-day volunteer training workshops for those interested in helping others with special needs.
The volunteer orientation days will be Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., but only one day of training is required, according to Mark Martin who co-owns Appalachian Foothills Therapeutic Equestrian Center (AFTEC) with his wife Cheryl.
The all-volunteer organization, which is based in Jackson County, uses horses to help humans deal with physical and emotional challenges. -
Man accused of holding samurai sword to girlfriend’s throat
A Madison grand jury will hear the case of a man accused of threatening to cut his girlfriend’s head off, and attacking her father with a samurai sword.
Russell M. Masters, 42, of Richmond, is charged with two counts of first-degree wanton endangerment, which is a Class D felony, and fourth-degree assault (domestic violence with minor injury) and resisting arrest, which both are Class A misdemeanors. Masters could receive one to five years in prison on each wanton endangerment charge, and the misdemeanors both carry a maximum sentence of one year in jail. -
Arrest made in connection with stolen jewelry, computer
Richmond police have made an arrest in connection with property stolen from two homes last fall.
A woman reported to police Monday that she had discovered several items that were missing from her home on South Killarney Drive and her grandmother’s home on Raintree Drive, according to Richmond Police Chief Larry Brock. The items were a set of gold hoop earrings, a white Sony Vaio laptop, a yellow gold heart pendant, a gold tennis bracelet and a ladies’ wedding band with a diamond setting.
The complainant said the belongings had gone missing sometime between August and October. -
US 25 business owners scared of five-lane plan
Voices of Berea business owners upset about upcoming construction on US 25 will be taken to the state level, according to city administrator Randy Stone.
Several people operating businesses along a section of US 25 gave comments Tuesday to the Berea City Council, asking them reconsider plans to widen the road to five lanes.
The design is a five-lane highway with a center turn lane and a 10-foot shared use path on one side and a 5-foot sidewalk on the other side. -
Grand jury to hear copper theft case
The attorney for a man accused of stealing copper from a handful of electric poles questioned his identification as the same person who took copper from 32 poles two days earlier.
Public defender Meena Mohanty questioned Richmond police officer Nicholas Duvall during a preliminary hearing Wednesday in Madison District Court. Her client, Jeffrey W. Nester, 46, of Fourth Street, was arrested in connection with a Jan. 23 copper theft. He is charged with second-degree criminal mischief, theft by unlawful taking, possession of burglary tools and failure to notify address change to the Department of Transportation. These charges are all misdemeanors that, at most, carry a sentence of one year in prison. -
Judge weighs constitutionality of legislative redistricting
Kentucky’s deadline for filing to run for legislative seats was in flux on Monday because a judge did not immediately rule on a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of newly redrawn district boundaries.
Franklin County Circuit Judge Phillip Shepherd said he expects to enter a ruling in the case by mid-week.
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Couple recovering from injuries suffered in weekend house fire
A couple was hospitalized after their home was set ablaze Sunday by a spark from a cigar, according to a county fire official.
County Fire Chief Jim Cox said the city and county fire departments were called to the home at 111 Concord Road in the early afternoon. Waco Volunteer Fire Department and the Richmond Fire Department also responded.
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