Foes voice concerns on Chandler Covance lab

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February 16, 2007 - 5:18AM

Chris Markham, Tribune

Dozens of Chandler residents turned out as promised Thursday to voice continued opposition to drug-tester Covance’s plans to build a large laboratory in their city.

About 30 people picketed outside before a meeting at Chandler-Gilbert Community College by city and county officials to address questions related to industrial development in Chandler Airpark, which includes Covance.

Resident Jennifer Hill said the meeting left her “scared.”

“There’s too many things we don’t know,” she said.

About 100 people attending the meeting knew the discussion would revolve around Covance, which plans to build its $125-million facility near Gilbert and Queen Creek roads by 2009.

Opponents say they’re afraid the company will bring disease, air and water pollution, and animal cruelty to Chandler.

The crowd, overwhelmingly opposed to Covance, appeared frustrated with city staff who could not answer many questions about the firm, specifically because it has not yet filed for city permits.

And audience members eventually received a tonguelashing from City Councilman Matt Orlando after several continually interrupted staff members.

Orlando, who hadn’t planned to speak, abruptly took the stage at one point, telling the crowd he was “appalled” by its behavior.

“Let’s have a little decorum,” he said. “This is not how democracy is run.”

Hill responded: “If you can’t answer our questions ... that’s where the frustration comes from.”

Covance is a global contract laboratory company headquartered in Princeton, N.J. The company conducts laboratory testing of drugs under development for other companies, some of which involves using animals.

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My comment disappeared! What's going on?

RO

I attended the meeting last night and was disgusted by the sensationalism and fear mongering from many citizens. My intention was to learn about the airpark development and the lab in order to make an informed decision. There were a few pointed, well thought out questions from the group, but the majority of the questions and discussion were at times ridiculous in the extreme.

At one point, someone asked what the City was going to do if a plane hit the building and monkeys poured out. There has been one aircraft accident at Chandler in the last 10 years and that was on the runway, let’s be reasonable. Another asked about Anthrax and Ebola and discussed technicians walking around with Ebola antibodies. Anyone who has taken high-school anatomy knows that antibodies don’t spread disease; they allow the body to fight antigens. My understanding is that level 1 labs don't test on these diseases. The crowd would boo and call the panel liars before they could finish attempting to answer. At least Councilman Orlando had the sense of decency to come to his employee's defense.

Some even paraded their very young children to ask questions, which in my opinion is morally reprehensible. For those of us on the fence, please focus on facts and intelligent discussion. Fear of the unknown has shown to only produce discrimination and bigotry. Comment has been reviewed

February 16, 2007

Alan

I have no opinion on the Covance issue, but I feel I needed to respond. I too attended the meeting last night regarding the development of the airpark. The attacks on the spokeswoman from Covance were unfortunate, because I believe that those attacks should be geared towards the company and not any one employee. She is just trying to make a living like any one of us.

Any mention of the word Covance during any of the several presentations, were generally met with coughs, sighs, and comments such as “killers”. I am all for democracy and freedom of speech, but there is something called common courtesy and respect. Frustration is no excuse for disrespect, and I would never let my kids use that excuse with me.

I applaud City Councilman Orlando for his willingness to stand up to the exploitation of children and general disrespect from his constituents. What he was really expressing, was his displeasure with the audience that was disrupting the meeting. While he spoke, I heard comments that included, “you won’t be re-elected” and “you’re just making excuses for Covance”, but it took real guts to stand up to those people and not just be political.
Comment has been reviewed

February 16, 2007

Kim Smith

I think we are seeing Chandler citizens sick and tired of the run around from Covance - and frustration is building. Covance has many USDA violations, they have covered up disease outbreaks at other facilities, and they can't decide on the incinerator issue. Residents want facts, but Covance and the city council dances around the issues. The so called "citizen advisory council" is not partisan - the members of the panel were hand picked by Covance and their meetings are not even open to the public! Seems suspicious to me, along with many Covance statements and actions. I'm not sure they will be a good business neighbor if we can't trust them. I understand the audience's impatience at the meeting. Suggest removal of this comment

February 16, 2007

Truth

RO and Alan you did good just like we rehearsed. Please go see Camilla Strongin to pick up your check!

ps Ro you should have left out the part about there only being ONE crash in ten years as there have been several. When we rehearsed what you were suppose to say we did not mention this. In th future please refrain fromthinking for yourself and only write what we at Covance tell you to. We will be deducting $500 from your check because of this Comment has been reviewed

February 18, 2007

RO

Truth - I am impressed by your ironic monogram. When faced with real criticism on your ideas and methods you resort to ad hominem attacks and a pathetic attempt to link free-thinkers with your current activist project. Your message probably should have read though, "please don't focus on facts, we can't support them, only write fear inspiring messages from the anti-thought establishment."

I am truly ambivalent if Covance comes or doesn't come to Chandler, and unlike you, I can actually support my reasons. If you are so worried about the city, why don't you boycott its largest biohazard waste producer, namely the Hospital. Why haven't you? Because, like pharmaceutical testing, they are necessary of course.

Oh, and when can I expect my check? Comment has been reviewed