TX - Fertilizer plant explodes in West, Texas

[Sonya610]

So, what, do people just want him to send a check on down for those federal disaster funds but don't bother us with your presence?

Uhhh...send a check? Like he is generously giving HIS money and they should be grateful for that? Like they don't have the RIGHT to those Federal Disaster Funds that hard working Texans pay into via Federal Taxes every year???

Actually I would be thinking exactly that "Just send the check".

 

[DEPUTYDAWG]

I was not a fan of George Bush, did not vote for him, and felt he was a lousy president. BUT I respected that he held the office of President of the United States for the years he held the office.

I cannot IMAGINE the attitude that is being described in this thread. That the POTUS actually cares enough about what has happened to the people of this tiny little town, and they'd rather he not come to this memorial service? What the heck is wrong with these folks? This is OUR President!

So, what, do people just want him to send a check on down for those federal disaster funds but don't bother us with your presence?

Sorry if I sound snippy, but honestly, this is has to be one of the most disfunctional attitudes that I've heard in a long time.

I will hold my tongue on saying anything further. But come on, folks, nobody KNEW they were living next to a chemical plant full of a highly explosive substance? And there were how many fire companies in town?

My late father was a suburban volunteer fireman in the 60s, 70s, and 80s. I can assure you the fire companies all knew exactly what risks existed in their territory. It is their job to know.

Way too much silence coming out of this disaster.........

AS,

As I stated, I believe Pres Obama is damned if he does go, and damned if he doesn't. Usually it is an honor to see a President in person, at an event one wants to attend.

However, sometimes the security issues do impact, in a negative way, those who are attending an event. TMK, no one asked him to speak at the event. It was being planned before he considered going. His arrival does indeed change logistics and hassles for those who are attending. Many will feel it's worth it, and many will not.

You're entitled to your opinion, just as others are. But if the town of West is having mixed feelings about it, that's just what it is. They're the ones that matter the most. It'll be nice for those have never had an opportunity to see a President in person, and maybe he'll bring some words of comfort. For others, if they're irritated because traffic will be diverted 2 hours before the event, they have to go through magnetometers and long security lines, etc., then that is sad. (Hotels are now a problem, for anyone wanting to attend that hadn't made reservations already.)

JMO and MOO

 

[Softail]

Uggg.... No water for another week to 3 weeks!

'It was just like a bomb had hit'
Neighbor recalls first moments after the blast

Updated: Monday, 22 Apr 2013, 6:35 PM CDT
Published : Monday, 22 Apr 2013, 4:13 PM CDT
Josh Hinkle

WEST, Texas (KXAN) - The petals of Ellen Wilson's purple irises had turned brown over the weekend. She clipped them from their stem and tossed them into a cardboard box at her feet.

“I'm just cutting the dead ones off,” said Wilson, a West grandmother whose home was in the zone of the fertilizer plant explosion that left at least 14 dead and some 200 injured. “I can't do anything in the house, because there's so much glass.”

Behind her, the old house along one of the side streets in West showed evidence of last week's devastation. The blast knocked all but two of her windows out and bent the tops of her flowers.


http://www.kxan.com/dpp/news/texas/it-was-just-like-a-bomb-had-hit

 

[DEPUTYDAWG]

http://www.kwtx.com/home/headlines/204216681.html\

A story from a lady who had moved to the West apartment complex just 2 weeks ago (or 2 weeks prior to the explosion).

 

[noZme]

Inserting a shout out to DeputyDawg & Softail for the local links that are so helpful in following this horrible event. Thanks & please know your efforts are appreciated.

 

[DEPUTYDAWG]

http://www.wacotrib.com/news/mclenn...cle_a7dff72b-40f1-53c9-b57d-3e4a7ba64346.html

West Residents Looking to Rebuild


(Article from the local newspaper - more are at link)

 

[eileenhawkeye]

I really hope that all the people who want federal funds for this disaster (whether they are the ones who are receiving them or just support the people) were not people screaming that Sandy victims should have known not to live so close to the water. There were a lot of those people (My taxes shouldn't have to pay for their bad decision!) back in the Fall. So I just hope these aren't the same people.

(And no I am not only referring to those politicians in TX...I am talking about ordinary people. Whenever I hear about a disaster, I always think of people who are now begging for federal funds but probably were screaming that they didn't want to pay for it during past disasters).

There would be a huge uproar if President Obama didn't come to West.

 

[mysteriew]

Uggg.... No water for another week to 3 weeks!

'It was just like a bomb had hit'
Neighbor recalls first moments after the blast

Updated: Monday, 22 Apr 2013, 6:35 PM CDT
Published : Monday, 22 Apr 2013, 4:13 PM CDT
Josh Hinkle

WEST, Texas (KXAN) - The petals of Ellen Wilson's purple irises had turned brown over the weekend. She clipped them from their stem and tossed them into a cardboard box at her feet.

“I'm just cutting the dead ones off,” said Wilson, a West grandmother whose home was in the zone of the fertilizer plant explosion that left at least 14 dead and some 200 injured. “I can't do anything in the house, because there's so much glass.”

Behind her, the old house along one of the side streets in West showed evidence of last week's devastation. The blast knocked all but two of her windows out and bent the tops of her flowers.


http://www.kxan.com/dpp/news/texas/it-was-just-like-a-bomb-had-hit

So sad. The woman with the irises, trying to soothe herself and normalize a life that is now far from normal. I too find working with plants soothing.

 

[mysteriew]

AS,

As I stated, I believe Pres Obama is damned if he does go, and damned if he doesn't. Usually it is an honor to see a President in person, at an event one wants to attend.

However, sometimes the security issues do impact, in a negative way, those who are attending an event. TMK, no one asked him to speak at the event. It was being planned before he considered going. His arrival does indeed change logistics and hassles for those who are attending. Many will feel it's worth it, and many will not.

You're entitled to your opinion, just as others are. But if the town of West is having mixed feelings about it, that's just what it is. They're the ones that matter the most. It'll be nice for those have never had an opportunity to see a President in person, and maybe he'll bring some words of comfort. For others, if they're irritated because traffic will be diverted 2 hours before the event, they have to go through magnetometers and long security lines, etc., then that is sad. (Hotels are now a problem, for anyone wanting to attend that hadn't made reservations already.)

JMO and MOO

I understand what you are saying. It is great to know that you aren't alone, that others (including the President) know and support you. It is great that they care enough to come and support you. In some ways it makes you feel special. I think some will take comfort from the visit. And some will be resentful.

But at the same time it interferes with the grieving, takes attention from where it is needed and in some ways detracts from those lost.

The closest I can compare it to is to imagine the death of a close loved one. And you show up for the funeral only to find that the only seat you can get is the very back of the church. All because someone important showed up for the funeral.

And there is always the jealously factor. Some will see the TV. Some will see the attention being paid to the Boston Marathon victims. Did their family, their town, their lives deserve any less? The president went there. Didn't they deserve a visit too?


In my opinion I believe DD is right. The president is damned if he does and damned if he doesn't.

 

[mysteriew]

And so the infighting begins

The media wants to know if there are any other situations out there like they had in West.

Appeal filed to AG seeking block to release West Fertilizer documents
http://watchdogblog.dallasnews.com/...ck-to-release-west-fertilizer-documents.html/

 

[mysteriew]

Documents reviewed by The Huffington Post indicate that the last time regulators performed a full safety inspection of the facility was nearly 28 years ago. The entity with primary authority to ensure workplace safety, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, last visited in 1985, according to OSHA records.

Since then, regulators from other agencies have been inside the plant, but they looked only at certain aspects of plant operations, such as whether the facility was abiding by labeling rules when packaging its fertilizer for sale.

The most recent partial safety inspection at West Fertilizer was in 2011. That inspection, by the U.S Department of Transportation Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Commission, led to a $5,200 fine for a variety of infractions, including failing to draft a safety plan for the transport of the large canisters of pressurized anhydrous ammonia stored on site.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/04/22/west-fertilizer_n_3134202.html

 

[mysteriew]

A source close to the investigation confirmed that one of the people injured in the explosion died at a hospital, but had no other details.

snip.....
Morris Bridges, West Volunteer Fire Department
Perry Calvin, Navarro Mills Volunteer Fire Department
Jerry Chapman, Abbott Volunteer Fire Department
Cody Dragoo, West Volunteer Fire Department
Kenny Harris, 52, Dallas Fire-Rescue.
Jimmy Matus, West business owner.
Judith Monroe
Joey Pustejovsky, 29, West city secretary, West Volunteer Fire Department
Cyrus Reed, Abbott Volunteer Fire Department
Mariano C. Saldivar, 57
Kevin Sanders, Bruceville-Eddy firefighter
Doug Snokhous, West Volunteer Fire Department
Robert Snokhous, West Volunteer Fire Department
William "Buck" Uptmor, Jr.,45, businessman
http://www.kwtx.com/home/headlines/West-Prepares-To-Bury-Its-Dead-203992381.html

In some ways I can understand their reluctance to give the names of those lost. Once those names are out there, media would be trying for interviews with the family. But by delaying the announcement, the family has time to try to get their feet back under them, time to make arrangements, time to begin grieving.

 

[DEPUTYDAWG]

Mysteriew,

Yeah, I don't think it's going to be looking good for what has slipped through the cracks at that plant. Oh boy.

 

[faw720]

AS,

As I stated, I believe Pres Obama is damned if he does go, and damned if he doesn't. Usually it is an honor to see a President in person, at an event one wants to attend.

However, sometimes the security issues do impact, in a negative way, those who are attending an event. TMK, no one asked him to speak at the event. It was being planned before he considered going. His arrival does indeed change logistics and hassles for those who are attending. Many will feel it's worth it, and many will not.

You're entitled to your opinion, just as others are. But if the town of West is having mixed feelings about it, that's just what it is. They're the ones that matter the most. It'll be nice for those have never had an opportunity to see a President in person, and maybe he'll bring some words of comfort. For others, if they're irritated because traffic will be diverted 2 hours before the event, they have to go through magnetometers and long security lines, etc., then that is sad. (Hotels are now a problem, for anyone wanting to attend that hadn't made reservations already.)

JMO and MOO

Couldn't agree more!

Years from now, I can hear someone telling their child that their great-grandfather died a hero in the West disaster & that the POTUS came to the memorial to honor those who died. I was certainly no fan of LBJ, but I have visited his ranch & Presidential Library enjoyed it in a historical context.

On another note...........All of us need to remember West in the future after they have rebuilt & visit them on our trips up & down I-35. They are proud, & rightfully so, of their Czech heritage. They have the best kolaches in the world & several gift stores filled with beautiful Czech crystal & other items. They also have a Westfest every year featuring Czech music & food. We can help now with our prayers & donations, but they will also need our continued support in the future.

 

[Oblio]

How many are missing at this point? I'm seeing very little mentioned about people missing in the news.

 

[MsFacetious]

The POTUS could come tour the area on a totally different day.
The issue isn't him COMING... it is his going to the MEMORIAL.

On a day when family and friends need to be together to mourn.
Instead many will be removed to do security.
Many just won't go because it's too much trouble.

If he could just come before or after the memorial...
I don't think most would have an issue with it. :twocents:

 

[DEPUTYDAWG]

How many are missing at this point? I'm seeing very little mentioned about people missing in the news.

Boy, that's a good question. I don't know, has anyone else seen a current estimated number of missing? It's just odd, really. We were hearing 60 were missing a few days after, then 30-35, and now I don't know....

I'm swamped with the logistics of this visit and can't really search until maybe tonight.

 

[eileenhawkeye]

Yeah, I am confused about why there aren't more official numbers out yet. I believed I heard that the residents are allowed back in their homes. So if someone is missing...wouldn't you go to their home and see if they are there, whether still alive or dead? I am just confused about how someone can not be in a hospital, or not still in their home, and still unaccounted for.

 

[Softail]

Boy, that's a good question. I don't know, has anyone else seen a current estimated number of missing? It's just odd, really. We were hearing 60 were missing a few days after, then 30-35, and now I don't know....

I'm swamped with the logistics of this visit and can't really search until maybe tonight.

I've been watching for this info as well. It really is odd, I was hearing the same as you - Up to 60 still missing, then nothing.

I'll be sure to post anything I see or hear.

Take 'er easy DD.

 

[Softail]

Yeah, I am confused about why there aren't more official numbers out yet. I believed I heard that the residents are allowed back in their homes. So if someone is missing...wouldn't you go to their home and see if they are there, whether still alive or dead? I am just confused about how someone can not be in a hospital, or not still in their home, and still unaccounted for.

From what I saw this morning, some areas are still not cleared for people to return to their homes.