Depositions begin in Class Action Lawsuit

The Carthage Press, Wednesday, June 25, 2008, quoted Carthage City Attorney, Nate Dally as reporting that "more than ten attorneys representing both sides were in Carthage this week to take depositions" in the Cynthia V. Sundy vs Renewable Environmental Solutions, LLC, class action lawsuit. Council member, Diane Sharits was quoted as saying "I continue to be disappointed in RES. Last Friday, June 20, 2008, it was horrendous throughout the city and I was out 9:30 or 10 o'clock that evening with my dog and it still was horrible." Carthage Mayor Jim Woestman added "I agree with that. I was trying to read my newspaper on Macon Street at 5:00 pm and I had to go back inside."

Friday, June 20, 2008

IT STINKS. I noticed "the smell", beginning about 6:30 pm this evening, sitting outside. It kept getting stronger and stronger, and I went inside at 7:30 pm. I called the Carthage Office (417-358-1524) of Missouri Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) and left a message. The voice message invited me to call the Springfield Regional Office (417-891-4300) of MDNR. I was not able to leave a message there. Their voice message invited me to contact MDNR's 24-hour hotline (573-634-2436). I called and spoke with a MDNR staff. After identifying myself as calling from Carthage, the staff member said the following four things: (1) that he "had received other complaints this evening from Carthage"; (2) that "air pollution regulations are not adequate to deal with this"; (3) that he had been "instructed not to call and have anyone go out" and respond when a call come in from Carthage complaining about Renewable Environmental Solutions, LLC.(RES); and (4) for me to "call and leave a message at the local Carthage office".
I could not believe what I was hearing. I repeated what I thought the MDNR staff person had said, and he confirmed that I had written it down correctly. Obviously, we have more than one problem tonight in Carthage.