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Vance, Trump need to do more for EP residents

To the editor:

The East Palestine train derailment and chemical disaster of February 2023 presents a critical opportunity for leadership, particularly for Vice President JD Vance and President Donald Trump. With their newfound or reinstated political influence, they can either fulfill their promises to Ohio and Pennsylvania or let the community continue to suffer. This crisis is about more than just cleanup; it’s about human reparation and ensuring the people exposed to dangerous chemicals receive the help they deserve.

Our community has been living with uncertainty since that fateful day and the latest chapter of this hellscape is a measly $22 million village settlement and no first responder training facility.

This is a tempting “I told you so” moment for me, but I’ll choose to take the high road. You cannot trust someone who breaks your neck just because they buy you a diamond necklace the next day. The polluter has not been held accountable, and crucial long-term health monitoring has been ignored. The community is still reeling, and federal resources have been insufficient.

I want to commend Vice President JD Vance for his efforts as a Junior Senator, particularly his work alongside Senator Sherrod Brown to push for an emergency declaration, healthcare needs and rail reform. However, the call to action has been sluggish, and now Vice President Vance has the power–and responsibility–to declare a public health emergency, unlock federal resources, and provide the support we need. It’s time for action, not just words.

The crisis in East Palestine is a national issue. Corporate greed, regulatory failure, and political inaction have compounded the suffering of our community.

The people of East Palestine need real action, not empty promises. Vice President Vance and President Trump have a responsibility to finish what they started here, an opportunity to restore our community, and send a message that corporate negligence will no longer be tolerated. Their efforts to lead a nationwide reform starts with East Palestine, Ohio. It’s time to act–hopefully sometime before we get our, “treatable cancers.”

Jess Conard,

East Palestine,

Medical speech language pathologist

Starting at $2.99/week.

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