Good News for Mitchell, Indiana & 4th District

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NEWS ADVISORY

David Sanders—Democratic Candidate for US Representative (4th District) and the Mayor of Mitchell, Butch Chastain, Discuss Opposition to a Proposed Massive Explosion Near Mitchell

Wednesday, August 30,2006--Dr. David Sanders, candidate for the office of U.S. Representative for the 4th Congressional District of the State of Indiana, and the Mayor of Mitchell, Butch Chastain, appeared at a press conference at 10:00 AM Wednesday, August 30, 2006 at the Mitchell City Hall, 407 S. 6th Street in Mitchell.

“It was reported in the Las Vegas Review Journal that it was proposed that Indiana become Ground Zero for the testing of a massive explosive. The Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) is planning an explosion called “Divine Strake”—the detonation of one million four hundred thousand pounds of ammonium nitrate and fuel oil. It was originally scheduled for the Nevada Test Site. After protests from residents and questions from members of Congress from both political parties, it was indicated that the test would be postponed and probably held elsewhere. A quarry near Mitchell and Bedford was suggested as the new potential site.

“Here is the description of the aftermath of the explosion from the head of DTRA, ‘it is the first time in Nevada that you'll see a mushroom cloud over Las Vegas since we stopped testing nuclear weapons.’

“A spokesman said, "The dust cloud ... may reach an altitude of 10,000 feet.”
Dr. Sanders stated, “Detonating this explosion here would have been completely unacceptable. If it is not safe for the middle of the desert in Nevada, it is not safe for a populated area like Bedford. Negative impacts on the highly valuable limestone of the area and upon groundwater have been discussed.”

“We have been informed that the site here in Lawrence County is not under consideration now. Why it was initially mentioned by a DTRA spokesperson is still a mystery. I believe that we should regard this settlement as a victory for community activists. I was proud to be a part of the opposition. I applaud Mayor Chastain and his efforts. In my judgment ongoing vigilance is nevertheless necessary.

“It is astounding that the incumbent Congressman for this district was apparently not aware of Bedford’s identification as a possible test site despite mentions of this fact in the media. It is even more incredible that his highly condescending response to concerns about the explosion was that Indiana ‘needs to be educated about this project and its possibilities.’

“The people of Indiana did not need to be ‘educated’ about the ‘possibilities’ of Divine Strake. We have been educated about the fact that, according to the owner of the quarry, a spokesperson for DTRA apparently identified a quarry in Mitchell as a potential test site for Divine Strake without notifying the quarry owner. We have been educated about the fact that there were previous DTRA explosives tests at the quarry without any public notification. We have also been educated that Congressman Buyer does not care about the people of Lawrence County. It is evident that Congressman Buyer needs to be ‘educated’ about his responsibility to defend the interests of his constituents. Actually, it is not surprising that a Congressman who wanted to use nuclear weapons in Afghanistan (“Put a tactical nuclear device in and close these caves for a thousand years," said Buyer in a 2001 interview with Indianapolis television station WRTV) did not oppose a massive explosion in a part of the district he almost never visits and takes for granted. It is time that the people of the 4th District use their votes to “educate” the incumbent about the proper role of a United States Representative.”

Dr. Sanders is an Associate Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at Purdue University. His expertise concerns gene therapy, cancer research, biodefense, and pandemic influenza. His research on the Ebola virus led to his participation in a United States Biological Weapons Proliferation Prevention Program. His responsibilities included inspecting a formerly secret bioweapons laboratory in Siberia.

http://www.sandersforcongress.org

Dr. Sanders’ connection with Purdue University is mentioned for identification purposes only and does not imply University endorsement.