Good-Bye Tennessee

Well, today my parents, sister, niece and nephew are on the road - moving to Colorado. After living in Tennessee for more than 60 years (and longer than that if you count my grandparents) - my family has left the state.

I never thought it would happen.

Thanks, TVA.

Something TVA Victims Might Want to Look Into...

There's a rumor circulating that the settlement TVA is presenting to folks requires relinquishing the right to come back on TVA regarding health issues that might arise from exposure to the coal ash.

The same coal ash that TVA has been telling folks is "inert."

IF the ash is indeed inert, why have a clause about health issues in the settlement?

A case should be made that the compensation folks receive should be tax exempt, just like the EEOIC program compensating folks (and their families) who worked out at the plants in Oak Ridge.

The mere fact that TVA (allegedly) has a clause in their settlement regarding health issues that deny folks the right to come back and sue over any health issues, should, in effect, make that compensation tax exempt as per IRS law...

26 USC 104 - Sec. 104. Compensation for injuries or sickness

This law was cited with the EEOIC program and states, in part, that gross income shall not include: (2) the amount of any damages (other than punitive damages) received (whether by suit or agreement and whether as lump sums or as periodic payments) on account of personal physical injuries or physical sickness;

If TVA is having folks sign the settlement in return for not suing in the future over health issues, then they have, in essence, turned this contract into the compensation for any future illness. Thus, the entire settlement (provided homeowners have owned their home for a minimum of two years) should be tax exempt!

I encourage everyone who reads this blog post to forward it to your state representatives to ensure that the case for your tax exempt status becomes reality.

Why I've Been So Quiet Lately...

Hello all. If you're a frequent visitor, you'll notice I haven't posted in a while. There's a reason for that. Let's just say, I have stopped posting about TVA because I don't want to jeopardize chances of getting out of there. I've had a few requests to tame it down and even a few more requests to specifically omit inside information for fear that it will incite retaliation from TVA.

Since I am not a resident of the area and have not been directly impacted, I will honor these requests.

However, I cannot let the reality of what is happening go unreported.

I received a copy of a very disturbing letter and a video. I won't comment on it. I will say that this information can be found online. You can form your own opinion. Here's the video...



Here's Matt's commentary on youtube...

March 3rd 2009 UMD volunteers began setting up air monitors around the TVA ash disaster. We found one spot downwind that was perfect--and go permission from the local that lived there. Within minutes TVA and Roane County police came and detained our volunteers, questioned the person that lived on the land, questioned the owner of the land, read the lease agreement, questioned all of our volunteers and took their ID--snatched a camera out of one of our volunteers hands and ordered us to take down the air monitoring station. Why doesn't TVA want independent air monitors around the site?

If you can't view the video, click here

Or, you may search youtube for "air monitor hassle march 3 2009"

To TVA management I say: If your commitment to the community is what you've stated publicly in the press, your private face should match your public face.

For further commentary on TVA's actions/inactions, I encourage ALL readers of this post to forward the following website...
http://lifeonswanpond.livejournal.com

to...

Senator Boxer
http://boxer.senate.gov/contact/email/policy.cfm

and

Senator Alexander
http://alexander.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=Contact.Home

and

Local government officials, any media outlets, and anyone else you think might be interested in picking this up...

the abuse of power has to stop.

TVA Update: News Sentinel Article on Coal Ash Disaster Raises a Question...

An Open Blog Post to Senators Boxer and Alexander:

FACT: TVA is a government entity.
FACT: The EPA is a government entity.
FACT: The EPA allowed TVA waivers they would not have allowed publicly-held utilities.
FACT: The Supreme Court ruled the EPA cannot bring suit against TVA because of their government status.
FACT: The EPA has ZERO regulatory authority over TVA.
FACT: The IRS is a government entity.
FACT: Restitution has begun for the people devastated by the Kingston Steam Plant coal ash disaster.

QUESTION: Is it now time for the IRS to step in and add further insult to injury?

I ask that the officials in charge of the TVA oversight committee step up and become the "Protector of the People."

According to an article in the Knoxville News Sentinel, TVA is quietly writing checks to the people impacted by the collapse. What is not being said is that a portion of this restitution appears to be taxable, by approximately a third.

There are two checks being written: one for the appraised value of the home, and one for "inconvenience, relocation costs and other expenses."

(No mention of medical expenses, but then, TVA denies knowledge of people getting sick).

The people of Harriman, Tennessee, who have been damaged by the coal ash disaster (physically, financially, emotionally), need bi-partisan legislation to ease their tax burden.

TVA said they would make the people "whole" and "happy." And then, they, apparently, set them up to be taxed...out the ying-yang.

At this point, no one really knows for sure how much of that restitution is taxable.

I would assume that if you've lived in your home for 2 years, the check for the appraised value of your home would be safe from capital gains.

However, the second check for relocation and "inconvenience" appears to be fair game.

If so, that's entirely inappropriate.

TVA is a tax-exempt government entity (and why they continue to be a government entity, I haven't a clue). How fair is it that a government entity can do the damage and then set folks up for another government entity to come in and tax them on the compensation?

TVA slaps them on one cheek and then the IRS can come in slap them on the other?

How wrong is THAT?!

At the very LEAST, there should be three checks: one for the appraised value of the home, one for relocation expenses, and one for the inconvenience.

It's not that these folks mind paying their fair share of taxes, but you can't tell these people you're going to make them 'whole' and 'happy' and then say, eh, you know what, we want a third of that back.

Grossly inappropriate.

So, for all of you reading this, write your representatives. TODAY. Both local and state. Tell them you want something done for these folks. It just isn't right that the government be able to giveth in one hand and taxeth away in the other.

TVA Update: Toxicology Report Follow-Up

The pharmacologist who reviewed Dad's toxicology report last night is concerned, particularly with the levels of lead and arsenic in his system. She is sending the report to a colleague of hers at ORNL. My parents will also be forwarding the report to my uncle, a biochemist, for further analysis, understanding and interpretation into layman's terms.

I'm quite certain these professionals will echo what I've been saying, which is: Get OUT!!!!

PLEASE!!!

TVA Update: Tell Me Lies, Tell Me Sweet Little Lies...

In meetings with the residents of the Swan Pond area, TVA officials assured folks that the air quality was safe. They said the concern would be IF the dust were to become airborne. They quickly followed that statement with assurances that they had experience with suppressing such dust and they were taking care of it.

The following photos were taken from my parent's porch two days ago.

The ash is clearly present and exposed.

If you look back to the cove, that used to be water. But, it isn't anymore.

The photos were taken on February 4 between 10 and 10:30 AM within seconds of each other. It was a clear day. There was no condensation, nor mist rising from the water. The dust swirled around and over the piles of ash before heading directly into my mother's direction.

She quickly went inside.

WATE has an article dated yesterday, February 5th, which features similiar video and still shots. WATE contacted TVA for comment. TVA officials said their crews didn't see anything and, "it must have been fog."

TVA Update: Dad's Toxicology Report is In

My Dad called today. His toxicology report came in. He asked that I not form an opinion until he can have the results explained to him and has had the opportunity to consult with his personal doctor and a specialist.

So, I won't form an opinion. I will merely state what he read to me over the phone. Some of you may have questions, but I don't have answers. I don't know what it means and I'm not going to pretend I know what it means. But, I will tell you that when I hear words like:

'indicates high exposure,'
'red zone' and
'95 percent Arsenic,'

I feel: rage.

Remember when TVA said they were going to make people not only 'whole,' but 'happy?'
Remember when TVA said the ash was 'inert'?
Remember when TVA said the ash wasn't 'toxic'?
Remember when Governor Bredesen stood next to TVA CEO Tom Kilgore and said he didn't think people should be afraid of the stuff?
Remember when TVA said air quality was 'safe'?

I do; I remember.

I've told my Dad, not asked, but told my Dad he needs to leave. He has to get out. I've begged him to come stay with me until this whole thing settles.

But he has Doctor appointments.

He wants answers.

And he doesn't want to leave, in case TVA calls.

The TVA disaster was 6 weeks and 3 days ago.

Here are the results of Dad's testing...
Indicates high exposure in the "red zone"
94% Mercury
96% Beryllium
95% Lead

Hair testing...
Indicates high exposure in the "red zone"
94% Aluminum
95+% Antimony
95% Arsenic
97.5% Titanium

There was also urine and blood tests which showed high exposure to several other elements. My dad has someone looking at the results tonight to see if she can interpret what it means.

I invite you to leave your comments below. If this were your father, would you be concerned????