The Biden administration and Norfolk Southern officials were absent from the East Palestine, Ohio town hall meeting.
Twitter was not impressed by the cowardice
Good morning to everyone except Norfolk Southern who wouldn’t even meet with the residents of Palestine Ohio after the hell they put them through.
— Catturd ™ (@catturd2) February 17, 2023
“We know that many are rightfully angry and frustrated right now. Unfortunately, after consulting with community leaders, we have become increasingly concerned about the growing physical threat to our employees and members of the community around this event stemming from the increasing likelihood of the participation of outside parties,” the company said in a statement.
“With that in mind, Norfolk Southern will not be in attendance this evening. We want to continue our dialogue with the community and address their concerns, and our people will remain in East Palestine, respond to this situation, and meet with residents.”
Why aren’t they talking to this guy?
Ted Murphy is a resident of East Palestine, Ohio.
— Addy Adds (@OneAddyAdds) February 16, 2023
Ted lives right near the fallout site and moved his mother immediately after the derailment, but before the explosion.
Sunday after the derailment, he came back to her insulin and encountered the chemical fallout. His skin… https://t.co/bbbr9dxlTV pic.twitter.com/SEoECvi96z
Is it because they voted for Republicans?
$100 billion for Ukraine.
— Greg Price (@greg_price11) February 16, 2023
Nothing for Ohio. pic.twitter.com/zsje19CBgk
What about the water – Conflicting advice
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine has now: 1. Encouraged residents to go back to their homes 2. Told residents the air is “safe” 3. Declared the municipal water is safe to drink And he determined all this within just 12 days of the disaster, while the EPA states it’s too early to know.
In a Tweet Governor Mike DeWine said: East Palestine: New water testing results show no detection of contaminants in East Palestine’s municipal water system. With these test results, @OhioEPA is confident that the municipal water is safe to drink.
Mike DeWine: The water is safe to drink BUT…. DON’T DRINK THE WATER!!! https://t.co/cE9jXD5lnB
— The Gay Republican (@GayRepublicSwag) February 16, 2023
From wkyc in Ohio – Where’s FEMA?
“Ohio Governor Mike DeWine spoke with officials at the White House early this morning to address the need for federal help. As a result of this conversation, the Governor has requested assistance from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Health and Emergency Response Team, and the CDC to provide on-the-ground assistance in East Palestine.
“The DeWine Administration has been in daily contact with FEMA to discuss the need for federal support, however FEMA continues to tell Governor DeWine that Ohio is not eligible for assistance at this time. Governor DeWine will continue working with FEMA to determine what assistance can be provided.”
Vance visited East Palestine on Thursday. He says the mix-up in calling the federal government for assistance stems from controversy with officials:
“There’s some tension between declaring a federal disaster and having FEMA come in, then shifting the liability of this accident to the federal government, as opposed to the train company that actually caused the problem,” Vance told reporters.
So will Ohioans receive assistance from FEMA for the East Palestine train derailment?
For now, at least, WKYC can verify — No.
Senator throws down gauntlet
Sen. JD Vance, R-Ohio, told President Biden to stop blaming Donald Trump for the East Palestine derailment and also challenged EPA administrator Michael Regan to drink the tap water.