The Anniston Star from Anniston, Alabama • Page 9

Anniston Star Monday, July 19, 2010 Page 9A BUSINESS Continued from Page 1A As it turns out, ideas are being knocked around, in part because Congress required a study ofthe reuse of the facility as a provision in the 2010 defense appropriations bill. It is, however, a study of the reuse of the facility that is within and this is hugely important to remember the range of what is lawful. That, in short, means the incinerator cannot continue to be used for the destruction of chemical weapons as that is expressly forbidden by law. So, 1 the Army, says Tim Garrett, the site manager, is preparing a study to present to Congress that will look at two possibilities for the reuse of the facility. One would be to tear down the roughly square-foot Munitions Demilitarization Building where the furnaces that destroy the chemical weapons are housed.

The remaining out-buildings, some 175,000 square feet of space as well as the infrastructure, would remain. It could make an ideal site for an industry wanting to locate here or as some sort of expansion for the Anniston Army Depot, says Garrett and Army Spokesman Mike Abrams. The other option would be to keep the incinerator. This option, Garrett stresses, would depend on the findings of an engineering report still under way that would determine the feasibility of reusing the facility. The big question, of course, is what the thing will burn.

Not chemical weapons, says Garrett, and not as was the consensus of a recent stakeholders meeting industrial waste or other toxins. What is on the table, however, says Garrett, is the possibility of destroying conventional munitions. "Again," said Garrett in a recent meeting, "this won't go anywhere if the study doesn't support it. But conventional munitions are already being destroyed at the Anniston Army Depot. All we are saying is that there could be a possibility of destroying them in a more scientific, safer and cleaner way at the Indeed, Garrett is correct.

The depot, through the Anniston Defense Munitions Center, routinely destroys anti-tank missiles, rocket-propelled grenades and mines, according to the ADMC. (See box below.) Garrett also said the incinerator has essentially could be destroyed in the future, such as mortars and artillery rounds. The difference, of course, is that the ones destroyed in the incinerator so far have contained chemical agent. What Garrett and others are getting at is crucial to our local economy: If the feasibility study concludes the facility can be used for the destruction of conventional munitions, the bulk of the workforce in place now could remain. To gauge just how realistic that is, the question was put to Robert Love, the project manager for Westinghouse Anniston, the employer of more than 800 people at the incinerator.

"It is something Westinghouse could handle seamlessly," said Love. But, he cautioned, there is a big caveat. Westinghouse's current contract with the Army would have to be revisited. Sherri Sumners, president of the Calhoun County Chamber of Commerce, represents one of stakeholders present at the earliermeeting. The others, says Garrett, included Alabama Power: and Alagasco.

Sumners wants to make one thing very clear: After the stockpile is gone, "The incinerator will absolutely not be used for the destruction of chemical weapons." As to the possibility of keeping the incinerator for other purposes, including conventional munitions, Sumners says, the incinerator was "a huge investment. Before we tear it down, let's dodue diligence to see what is possible." David Christian, a local architect architectwhohaslongbeen a critic of the incinerator, said he was not surprised by Garrett's and Abrams' talk of the possibility of using the facility to destroy conventional munitions. "When we first started talking about the incinerator years ago, a lot of promises isesweremadethatnothing nothing like this would ever happen," Christian said. "But it is happening, and I'm not surprised. It could not have come at a better time for the Army, unemployment is high and the economy is lousy." Christian stresses he is sympathetic with those suffering from unemployment, but he believes it is not necessarily the best thing for the community.

"A whole lot of questions need to be asked and answered before the community decides to do anything" he said. Anniston Star Editor at large John Fleming explores issues related to the area's economy and businesses in this weekly news column. Send topic been destroying many of suggestions to johnflemthe same munitions that Talk About Fireworks According to the Anniston Defense Munitions Center, the following was destroyed on depot property during fiscal 2009: M-74, 66MM rockets 23,000 mines 2,201 TOW anti-tank tube-launched missiles 288 SA-2 rocket boosters 5,468 M-47 Dragon anti -tank guided missiles 1,100 TOW Blast Simulators Additionally, a separate ADMC operation, the Missile Recycling Center, "disposes through recycling" some 10,000 TOW missiles each year. Currently, ADMC is permitted to destroy conventional munitions through what is called, Open Detonate. This applies to all kinds of conventional munitions, except those containing depleted uranium, smoke munitions and those used in riot control, though there is an exception for this last one in times of "emergency Goodbye to all that mustard The biggest danger to the community evaporated when the volatile and deadly VX ad GB agents were destroyed.

The mustard agent that comprises the rest of the stockpile is deadly as well, but it is not nearly as volatile. As of July 12, according to the Army, 52.9 percent of the mustard munitions and 42.5 percent of mustard agent had been destroyed. Still left to be dealt with are 108 one-ton containers of mustard agent. Everything else mustard-related is inside mortars and artillery shells. The containers are more difficult to dispose of, says Tim Garrett, the site manager at the incinerator, because sometimes sludge develops inside.

Fortunately, Garrett says, we only have 108. Umatilla, another stockpile site, has 3,600 one-ton containers. All that remains Besides Alabama and Oregon, there are still chemical weapons stockpiles in Utah, Arkansas, Kentucky and Colorado. Stockpiles at sites in Indiana, Maryland and Johnston Island in the South Pacific, have already been destroyed. John Fleming OBITUARIES Moline B.

Calhoun, Lois S. Dilleshaw, 11 Nan S. Hall, 1 p.m., Ann L. Jones, 2 p.m., Milford J. Rollins, 11 Anna G.

Romine, 2 CROOK Anniston Funeral service for Johnny Wiggins Crook, 30, will be announced by Anniston Funeral Service. Mr. Crook died Saturday in Anniston. 256-236-0319 CROWE Anniston Funeral services for Katherine M. Crowe, 98, of Anniston will be at 2 p.m.

Tuesday, July 20, 2010, at Chapel Hill Funeral Home. Interment will follow at Forestlawn Gardens. The family will receive friends 12 noon to service time Tuesday, July 20, 2010, at Chapel Hill Funeral Home. Mrs. Crowe passed away Saturday, July 17, 2010, at Stringfellow Memorial Hospital.

Survivors include her daughter, Margaret (Henry) Harrison; sons Larry Crowe, Bill (Robin) Crowe; grandchildren Mitzi (Randy) Mathenia, Jenny (Roger) Luttrell, Brad (Amy) Crowe, Kristian Crowe, Caleb Crowe; 11 great-grandchildren and special niece Joan Crowe. Memorials can be made to First Wesleyan Church of Anniston at 2501 Jefferson St. West in lieu of flowers. Mrs. Crowe.

was a native of Mentone, and longtime resident of Calhoun County. She was a pastor's loving wife for over 60 years and church musician and Sunday school teacher until the age of 92. Preceding her in death was her husband, Rev. Finn Crowe; parents, Lee and Jennie Pearl Matheny; and infant son Donald Royce Crowe. Chapel Hill Funeral Home will be servicing the Crowe family 256-820-5151 www.chapelhillfh.com CULBERSON Anniston Funeral service for Edward Lee Culberson, 80, will be 2 p.m.

Tuesday at Parker Memorial Baptist Church. Visitation: hours prior to services. Dryden Funeral Home in charge of arrangements. GREGG Lineville Funeral wake for Mrs. Dorothea P.

"Dot" Gregg, 82, of Lineville, will be held Tuesday, July 20, 2010, at 3 p.m. at Benefield Funeral Home in Lineville. Private entombment services will follow in the Lineville City Cemetery. Visitation will be on this evening from 5:30 to 8:00 p.m. at the funeral home.

The family requests no flowers, however, memorial contributions may be made to the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, 1256 Main Street, Roanoke, Al 36274 or your charity of choice. condolences may be sent via www.benefieldfuneralhome.com. Benefield Funeral Home of Lineville is in charge of the arrangements. HALL Anniston Funeral service for Mrs. Nan Simpson Hall, 97, of Anniston, will be 1 p.m, today at Parker Memorial FUNERALS 2 p.m., Dryden a.m.

K.L. Brown Parker Memorial Wadley First a.m., Dryden p.m., Rogersville Funeral Home Chapel Funeral Home Chapel Baptist Church United Methodist Church Baptist Church with Dr. Billy Harris and Dr. Carroll Freeman officiating. Burial will follow at Highland Cemetery.

The family will receive friends today from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the church. Mrs. Hall died Saturday in Huntsville.

Survivors include two children, Nancy Moore, of Huntsville and Thomas Hall, of Vidalia, one sister, Mary Emma Johnson, of Melbourne, three grandchildren, Heather Gourley, of Vidalia, Deanne Moore, of Birmingham and Moore, of Six Mile, S.C. and five great grandchildren. Mrs. Hall was preceded in death by her husband, Alex Hall; six sisters and four brothers. Her professional, church, denominational and civic activities included, high school English teacher at Oxford, Clanton, and Florala, Sunday school teacher for years, active in Woman's Missionary Union at local, state, and national level, President of WMU at Parker Memorial, President of Alabama WMU for five years, served five years on the Administrative Committee of Alabama Baptist Convention and state Executive Board, served five years as vicepresident of the Executive Board of the WMU of the Southern Baptist Convention, trained in Laubach Literacy Method and headed literacy program at Parker -Memorial and held state wide workshops to train leaders to teach nonreaders, member of Anniston Board of Education for 15 years and served as President for five years, member of Garden Club, Women's Civic Club, Book Lover's Club and Delta Kappa Gamma for women educators and a nominee for Alabama Mother of the Year in 1973.

Memorials may be made to Parker Memorial Baptist Church. Gray Brown-Service Mortuary in charge of arrangements. HILL Anniston Funeral services for Dorothy Hill, 85, will be announced by Goodson Funeral Home. She passed Sunday, July 18, 2010, at the Jacksonville Medical Center. JOHNSON Funeral Home Church of Christ away Sunday, July 18, 2010, in Atlanta, Ga.

Gray Brown-Service Mortuary in charge of arrangements. (256) 236-3441 Online condolences made at www.graybrownservice.com PRESTON Talladega Funeral service for Mr. Wilmer Casey Preston, 78, will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday at Usrey Brown-Service Funeral Home. Visitation: 6 -8 tonight.

ROLLINS Heflin Funeral service for Milford James Rollins, 85, of Heflin, will be at 11 a.m. today at Dryden Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. George McKenzie officiating. Burial will follow at Grimes Cemetery in Piedmont. Mr.

Rollins passed away Saturday, July 17, 2010, at Regional Medical Center. He is survived by daughter, Reta (Ray) Harris, of Anniston; son, Gary (Wanda) Rollins, of Heflin; grandchild, Jennifer Harris Koon, of Alexander City; two greatgrandchildren, Harrison Reaves Koon and Sara Rollins Koon, of Alexander City. Mr. Rollins was a life long resident of Cleburne County and was a dedicated and retired employee of Chicopee Manufacturing Company and Tape Craft Company for most of his life. He was a machinist and veteran.

He was a member of Liberty Hill Methodist Church. He was preceded in death by his wife, Virginia Rollins; parents, Ode and Maude Rollins and eight brothers and sisters. Pallbearers will be John Cardwell, Bobby Hicks, Gene Dewberry, Roger McManus, Allen Mason and Franklin Turner. be UNDERWOOD Cullman Mrs. Tom- mie Lucille Tyson Underwood, of Cullman, went to be with her Lord and savior on July 16, 2010.

A longtime resident of Cullman, she had lived with her daughter, Mary Mallory, in Anniston since 2003. The middle daughter of Moses Hardy Tyson and lona Summerlin Tyson, she was born in Opp in 1919, where she grew up. After her graduation from Opp High School, she received her registered nurse certificate at Ida Mae Moffat School of Nursing in Birmingham and attended Peabody College in Nashville, Tenn. She moved to Cullman in 1941, where she served as a public health nurse until 1952. She married N.T.

Underwood, who became known as "the father of Cullman banking" in 1944. They remained happily married for 54 years, until his death in 1999. Mrs. Underwood had many roles in her life and excelled at them all. As a nurse, she immunized thousands of school children throughout Cullman County and assisted doctors on calls.

As a wife and mother, she was adored by her husband and her three children and the love she raised them with and the wisdom she imparted to them helped them to become responsible, active citizens in their communities. She was greatly loved and respected by her many friends in the county. Mrs. Underwood was active in Cullman and was a member of the Coterie Club and the Metropolitan Club. At the First United Methodist Church, which she attended faithfully nearly 60 years, from her marriage until she moved to Anniston, she taught children's Sunday school and was active in the United Methodist Woman, the Barbara Heck Circle and other organizations.

She and her late husband also volunteered for the Cullman County Election Commission, helping at polling stations on election days. She is survived by three children, Lucy Underwood Newell, of Birmingham, Terrell Tyson Underwood, of Columbia, S.C., and Mary Underwood Mallory, of Anniston and 11 grandchildren, Donovan Pierce Newell Seth Underwood Newell, Johnathan McRoberts Newell, David Terrell Newell, Charles Whitefield Newell and Madelaine Tyson Newell, all of Birmingham, Elizabeth Tyson Mallory Fenn, of Chattanooga, Tenn, Molly Ann Mallory Richards, of St. Louis, Carolina Peck Mallory and William Peck Mallory III, of Anniston and John Terrell Underwood, of Columbia, S.C. Funeral arrangements are by Moss Service with the funeral service at First United Methodist Church of Cullman on Tuesday, July 20, 2010 at 2 p.m. with the Rev.

Mitchell Williams officiating. She will lie-instate at the church from 1 p.m. until funeral time at 2 p.m. There will no other visitation. Burial will follow at Cullman City Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: First United Methodist Church of Cullman 256-734-6690 or Faith Presbyterian Church of Anniston 256-238-8721. Anniston Star Obituary Policy It is the policy of The Anniston Star to publish obituaries oflocal residents and former local residents. Obituaries must be submitted by funeral homes. Obituaries are not accepted from family members or friends of the deceased. Death notices up to eight lines of type are published at no charge.

Death notices can include the deceased person's name, age, address, date of death, time and place of services, and the funeral home in charge of arrange ments. This Information must be submitted to The Star by a funeral home. Obituaries published in The Anniston Star are also published on The Anniston Star Online at no additional change. Photographs are accepted for publication. Fees for obituaries in The Star are billed directly to the funeral homes.

Payment is not accepted from family members or friends of the deceased. The Star reserves the right to edit obituaries. In most instances the family scontent and style will be published in the form submitted to us. There are no limits on numbers of survivors, pallbearers, honorary pallbearers, or any other information the famIly wants included, so long good taste and judgment prevail. Winchester, Tenn.

Funeral Services for Mrs. Sara Wyatt Mellon Johnson, 94, formerly of Oxford, will be Tuesday at 11 a.m. at Miller Funeral Home Crematory. The family will receive friends Tuesday from 9 a.m. till services.

Mrs. Johnson died Saturday in Winchester, TN. Miller Funeral Home Crematory A Brown Service authorized provider O'CONNELL Atlanta Funeral services for Mr. George A. O'Connell 96, formerly of Anniston, will be announced by Gray Brown Service Mortuary.

Mr. O'Connell passed.