Letter: Don't forget Libby asbestos victims
Posted by Administrator (admin) on Apr 26 2007 at 10:21 PM
Asbestos >>

April 22, 2007

Before this legislative session is over, I would like to remind Gov. Brian Schweitzer of a comment he made on KJJR radio in Kalispell, before he was elected. He stated that WR Grace "has not been a good neighbor in the Libby area."

During the '50s and '60s as well as through the '90s, the state of Montana was not a good neighbor either. The state DEQ was aware of the hazards of Libby vermiculite and failed to educate the workers and the community. The EPA out of Denver was also criminally negligent.

Montana will eventually get its day in court for a criminal conspiracy and coverup. Perhaps when focusing on how to spend the current surplus of taxes, Schweitzer could be a good neighbor, along with this fine Legislature, and set aside money to cover what will be due Libby's victims.

Readers who wish to know more about Montana's criminal involvement should read "An Air That Kills - How the Asbestos Poisoning of Libby, Montana, Uncovered a National Scandal" by Andrew Schneider and David McCumber.

Frank Maycumber
Kalispell