Norfolk Southern reps cite threats for absence from East Palestine derailment forum
Editor's note: The meeting tonight will be held in the gymnasium at East Palestine High School
Nearly two weeks have passed since the train derailment disaster in East Palestine and some residents still have questions regarding air and water quality and whether or not they're safe where they are.
That's why officials are holding an informational session for residents to get all of their specific questions answered as opposed to more general answers given at press briefings.
The event will be held in the gymnasium at East Palestine High School at 7:00 p.m. Wednesday night.
Columbiana County EMA Director, Peggy Clark tells 21 News that individual stations will be set up for residents to ask questions in a one-on-one fashion. Experts from the Ohio and U.S. EPA, as well as EMA officials will be on site to answer questions.
Representatives for Valley Congressman, Bill Johnson confirmed with 21 News that Congressman Johnson will also be at the event.
Norfolk Southern released a statement Wednesday afternoon confirming that they will not be in attendance at this event.
According to the statement, the company made this decision due to concerns about the "growing physical threats to [its] employees." The full statement reads as follows:
"Today we hoped to join local, state and federal officials at a town hall to update the East Palestine community on the steps we are taking to thoroughly, responsibly and safely clean up the accident site and to provide the latest results from ongoing water and air testing. We also wanted to be available to provide information on resources from our Family Assistance Center."