North Carolina's toxic water scandal

From email:
We now know that North Carolina's state toxicologist, Ken Rudo, opposed the decision to rescind the do-not-drink orders for families living near toxic coal ash pits. In a sworn deposition Rudo called the decision “unethical and possibly illegal."

How has Gov. McCrory responded? In a hurried 9:30 p.m. press conference on Tuesday night, McCrory’s Chief of Staff accused Ken Rudo, a 30-year state employee and a Republican who voted for McCrory, of perjury.

In contention is a meeting between Ken Rudo and the Governor’s Communications Director, Josh Ellis. Rudo swore in a deposition that he was summoned and that McCrory called in to the meeting. McCrory denies both.

Who do you trust? A 30-year state employee and well-respected scientist with no reason to lie, or a former Duke Energy employee who has received thousands of dollars in campaigns money from them?

From News Observer:

[BChief epidemiologist resigns as fight over well water safety escalates

A state scientist resigned in protest Wednesday after the McCrory administration publicly accused a member of her staff of lying and unprofessional conduct.

The staffer, toxicologist Kenneth Rudo, had testified that the administration sought to downplay the health risks to well owners who live near coal ash storage ponds.
http://www.newsobserver.com/news/politics-government/state-politics/article94452797.html

Megan Davies, an epidemiologist and section chief in the state Division of Public Health, submitted a scathing letter of resignation in response to an open letter distributed to the news media on Tuesday by her boss, state health director Dr. Randall Williams, and Tom Reeder, an assistant secretary in the state Department of Environmental Quality.

“Upon reading the open editorial yesterday evening, I can only conclude that the Department’s leadership is fully aware that this document misinforms the public,” Davies wrote. “I cannot work for a Department and an Administration that deliberately misleads the public.”

Davies, 53, walks away from a nearly $188,000-a-year position, which she has held for seven years. She, her subordinate Rudo, 60, and another colleague testified under oath that they had concerns about the state’s decision earlier this year to rescind do-not-drink notices to well owners.

Read more here: http://www.newsobserver.com/news/politics-government/politics-columns-blogs/under-the-dome/article94769757.html#storylink=cpy


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