Dioxin Update # 3 2004

March 28rd 2004

Thomas Twp Library on Miller Rd behind the Fire Station

WOW Dow CEO!
DOW JONES NEWSWIRES

WASHINGTON -- Dow Chemical Inc. (DOW) Chief Executive and Chairman W. S.
Stavropoulos received a bonus of $2.3 million in 2003, according to a proxy
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Stavropoulos become chief executive and president in December 2002 and has
been chairman since 2000. He gave up his role as president last November.

Dow Chemical said it awarded the bonus based on the company's increase in
profit margins and earnings, improved cash flow and reduced debt without
compromising performance in the areas of environment, health and safety.

Dow ranked in Fortune 50

According to the Midland Daily News, The Dow Chemical Co. broke through to the "Fortune 50" in this year's magazine ranking (Forbes) of the largest publicly held companies. With more than $5 billion more in revenue than its nearest competitor, DuPont, (No. 59.), Dow moved in to the number 44 spot. Dow hit record sales of 32.6 billion in 2003.

U of M Study

MDCH, ATSDR, the local health departments, Lone Tree Council and the Ecology Center are in the process of resubmitting comments to Dr. Garabrant who will be conducting the Dow funded exposure study. One area of contention is the Science Advisory Board. U of M who is paid by Dow wants to pick the Science Advisory Board that will report back to Dow and the community. Now that's a nice cozy circle if ever there was one. Stay tuned for developments there are a few proposals on the table.

THE LONG SHADOW

Lone Tree Council purchased several copies of the above documentary by Steve Meador, chronicling the first two years of the dioxin contamination on the Tittabawassee River. Steve produced this documentary for his masters thesis at MSU. It is so well done and articulate it is a must see for everyone concerned about the contamination. LTC will loan these (on DVD) out to anyone who desires. We encourage you to invite your neighbors and friends to watch it.

ENVIRONMENTAL SCORES 2003

FEDERAL ELECTED OFFICIALS

LOCAL STATE ELECTED OFFICIALS

Soil Samples Farm Fields

Preliminary Results for Dioxin Toxic Equivalents (TEQ) in parts per trillion (ppt) for Agricultural Soils and Commodities sampled by Michigan Department of Agriculture (MDA) and Michigan State University Extension Service (MSUE) on November 17, 2003.

Walleye Population Boom

The population boom in the number of Walleye in the Saginaw Bay is indeed good news and should provide great fishing for future Walleye Festivals. We are indeed happy to hear the good news. DNR fisheries planted 1.8 million fingerlings last year and ideal weather conditions allowed those fingerlings to flourish. It is expected that those fish will migrate up the Tittabawassee River in a few years. Let's get the contaminated dioxin sediments out of the river so in years to come, feeding them to our children will not be an issue.

Framing, Marginalizing and Labeling

It's what Dow and their apologist do best. Worth noting that not all people who are members of TRW, attend meetings or are on this mail list are plaintiffs, environmentalists or activists. They are an amalgamation of citizens who choose to be engaged in the issue in varying degrees. No one has the right to decide who should be heard or whose voice is legitimate Dow's use of labels is a diversion from the issue of Dow's contamination and responsibility. Attack the messenger and ignore the message. We cannot nor should we resign ourselves to live in a watershed at odds with the natural world. We all work hard, pay taxes and are members of the larger community. Our taxes support county parks, our nature centers and the quality of life in this county. If you live in this watershed this issue belongs to you. Dow wants you to feel like your voice doesn't matter because you aren't a river resident. But the river like all the natural resources of the state belong to the people of Michigan. Dow has no shame!

Closing Comment

Regards to all,