Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, May 26, 1993 TAG: 9305260166
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-7 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: RICK LINDQUIST STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: RADFORD LENGTH: Short
"It's out of my hands," Hannifan said after Monday's City Council meeting to which foundry and state air-quality officials had been invited to try to clear the air.
Hannifan, who is retired and has lived in Radford for four years, said if he had it to do again he never would have moved to New Town.
After returning home from Monday's meeting, Hannifan, 67, suffered an apparent heart attack, his wife said Tuesday. He is recovering at Pulaski Community Hospital.
New Town residents had complained earlier this month to council about the April 24 dust discharge from New River Castings' First Street plant. They said dust damaged vehicle finishes and other property, including bath and shower units stored outside a local plumbing supplier.
Residents also said the April discharge was just the latest in a series of similar problems over the past several years.
Plant officials blamed the discharge on a malfunction in "bag house" equipment that collects dust - mostly iron particles and sand - from a finishing operation.
In a letter, Boucher asked Wallace Davis, state Air Board executive director in Richmond, for "an inspection of this emission and an air sampling and analysis of the fallout."
New River Castings, which is owned by Intermet, is expanding operations and has applied to the state for a new airborne-discharge permit. Foundry Manager Brent McCombs told Hannifan Monday he expects the permit will be granted.
by CNB