Before we begin the review of this letter, I'll start by saying that this, more than likely, went through legal and public relations before it was released. To an outsider, this may look like a respectful, very genuine letter. But now we're going to look at it from a "victim's" perspective.
1. This letter is dated 18 days after the disaster occurred. WRONG! Some kind of official statement should have been sent out within 24 hours.
2. The letter was addressed to: "Our Neighbor At" such and such address. WRONG! 18 days following the disaster, you should know whose name goes on that envelope.
3. 1st paragraph: "keep you posted on TVA's commitment to clean up the ash spill." PERSPECTIVE! The ash "spill"? Is that what we're calling it, a spill? As in, 'no use crying over spilled milk? Here's another perspective, how about DISASTER, COLLAPSE, FAILURE. Don't patronize the residents, don't minimize the event. It's insulting.
Molly's Side Note: I like how they use the word 'commitment.' TVA's commited! Yes! Alright! Good! Commited! Yes! Cleanup! Yes! How long is it going to take? Don't know. Damn!
Well, Mr. Kilgore. I know a little something about commitment. I've been commited to losing the baby weight. Did I mention my baby is 9 years old?
4. 2nd paragraph: "We are working as safely and diligently as possible." PERSPECTIVE! That sentence should read, "We are diligently working to ensure your safety."
Molly's Side Note: I recall reading in the paper that a TVA spokesman said the workers were not using all the prescribed protective gear because the ash was inert. So, since reading that, I question the credibility of the above statement.
5. 3rd paragraph: "I've enclosed a copy of my written testimony for your review." FULL DISCLOSURE! Nothing addresses the verbal testimony which is available online, probably because that was too embarrassing for you. You should have provided a web link for those people who wanted to go in and hear it or watch the actual testimony. Note to TVA Executives: You are more readily believable if you present the whole picture and not that which reflects most favorably on you or your position.
6. 3rd paragraph: "It includes updates on water quality and air quality." CREDIBILITY PROBLEM! Your updates are not as thorough as they should be (I'll go more into that later). And at this point in time, your credibility is already shot due to your spokes peoples previous misleading statements and half-truths on timelines, leaks, dead fish and toxicity, not to mention their pontificating on the cause of this completely avoidable disaster.
7. 4th paragraph: "If you think you have a claim..." OH NO YOU DIDN'T! This wording implies that you don't think victims have a claim! WRONG! WRONG! WRONG! For cryin' out loud, you don't say that! (Unless, of course, that's what you meant) Instead, you say: "For those of you needing to file a claim..." You see the difference? Geez louise, man!
8. 5th paragraph: "This is an opportunity for us to visit with you informally and take your questions." I'm going to file that one under (lol) LAUGH OUT LOUD! All TVA has done so far is take questions. When do you plan on answering the questions?
9. "We are going to be able to look our neighbors in the eye and say that TVA is doing the right thing." THAT SHIP HAS SAILED, MY FRIEND! You didn't do the right thing when you had the appropriate resolution pointed out to you years prior. Your negligence has forever impacted the residents of this community. Your words are meaningless. People don't want to be your neighbor. People don't want to look at you. Looking at you is what's breaking their heart right now (not to mention hearing your helicopter sorties fly over their roof every 5 minutes for the past week, starting at daybreak). I think I might also file the above statement under CLUELESS.
10. OBVIOUS OMISSION: As indicated above, there is no mention here of a timeline for cleanup. TVA spokesman Gil Francis was quick to say estimates were 4-6 weeks. Since we know the credibility of that statement exists only in the world of make believe, let's get down to the brass tacks. The cleanup is going to take years. People need to make decisions, Mr. Kilgore. They want to hear you say it. Years. Your negligence has destroyed the financial future of these residents, it has destroyed their emotional well-being and it has endangered their health. It's going to take years before the river and coves are restored. And it may take decades before the reputation of this neighborhood is revitalized.
You f 'd up, Kilgore. You f 'd up big time.
FYI: CRISIS MANAGEMENT 101
STEP 1. Avoid a crisis
STEP 2. Refer back to Step 1
3 comments:
You captured my sentiments exactly! I'm sure there are those who will say that we are just looking for things to complain about, but the reality is the tinted glasses that I view TVA's comments and actions through were, in fact, clouded by their own past decisions, actions, and inactions. Trust, once lost, is extremely difficult to regain.
People who say you are just looking for things to complain about don't know the whole story. All will be revealed, I assure you! And I can't wait!!!!
The independent group that took water and soil samples at our place a week or so ago returned today to take additional samples. They advised me that the samples they took before showed elevated arsenic levels (and that would have been abouttwo weeks after Dec. 22). They hope to provide me with a copy; I'll forward it to you when I get it. By the way, I'm sending you a photo I took out by the dock today: keep in mind this is 3 weeks and 4 days after failure.
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