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Cardin, Van Hollen react to Mill Closing

April 30th, 2019 by WCBC Radio

U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), a senior member of the Senate Committee on Environment & Public Works, issued the following statement upon news of the planned closure of the Verso paper mill in Luke, Md. 

“I am deeply saddened by the news that 675 hard-working local residents arrived to work today only to find out that their positions will be eliminated almost immediately. They deserved better, having built their lives and their community around working at the mill, and having been both flexible and resilient in the face of unfair foreign competition and during the recent spate of ownership changes at the mill in recent years. These workers – and many more in the timber, mining and shipping industries directly related to the mill’s operations – will now face extreme challenges. I will seek to ensure that all available federal resources be made available to those affected by the mill’s closure. 

“Having for years worked cooperatively with the mill’s owners on trade and regulatory compliance issues, I am truly surprised that Verso did not notify any elected officials in advance of the planned closure. Without a doubt, we would have explored every possibility to keep the plant open. 

“I am also particularly concerned about the status of water and sewer service in the Town of Luke, which had been provided by the mill. With public officials at all levels of government blind-sided by this move, no clear plan exists for the continuation of these critical services once the mill ceases its operations. This is an urgent threat to the public’s health and the region’s clean water. It is incumbent that corporate officials remain committed to working with the community to find an effective strategy to continue providing these basic services, and I will work closely with my fellow members of the Maryland congressional delegation to ensure that they do.” 

Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) released the following statement regarding the announced closure of the Verso paper mill in Luke, Maryland:

 

“I am deeply disappointed with the Verso Corporation’s decision to close the paper mill in Luke, Maryland. Given the mill’s long history in the area and the years of dedicated service of its workers, this decision is even more frustrating. My office has already been in touch with local leaders, and Team Maryland is working together to identify resources for those impacted and the entire community during this time.”

 

8 Responses to “Cardin, Van Hollen react to Mill Closing”

  1. April 30, 2019 at 4:53 pm, Brian said:

    As long as a sewage treatment plant stays open everything will be okay with you right

    Reply

  2. April 30, 2019 at 5:08 pm, Brian said:

    A real leader would ask can’t we find somebody else to buy this plan and reopen it or have the employees themselves reopen it but that is not what you want you and your friends want this plant to close and these people to lose their jobs

    Reply

    • April 30, 2019 at 6:43 pm, kevin said:

      > Funny – when government creates jobs you squeal socialism. Wow. Talk about having it both ways! Have you heard of computers, e-mail and pdf documents? The demand for paper, especially high grade paper is disappearing. Did yo read the release from the Mill explaining why they closed? Sadly, times have changed. But hey, maybe in a few years we can turn the site into a bed and breakfast with an on site brewery for the tourist. That has been the game plan here for DECADES.

      Reply

  3. April 30, 2019 at 6:44 pm, Brian said:

    Hey Stoopid this paper mill made labels for food are we going to eliminate them to

    Reply

    • May 01, 2019 at 12:19 pm, mac said:

      > The name calling is completely unnecessary but the misspelling is to be expected.

      Reply

  4. April 30, 2019 at 6:46 pm, Brian said:

    It would be fine with me if you people just stay in your Sanctuary cities with your illegal aliens and leave us alone

    Reply

  5. April 30, 2019 at 6:58 pm, Brian said:

    It would be really nice if you would take all these criminals back with you

    Reply

  6. May 01, 2019 at 6:03 am, Joe Wellberg said:

    Maybe Bernie Sanders will stop by and his thuggish supporters will cheer him while he bashes Capitalism for the closure and blames Trump at the same time and sell the lie of Universal Basic Income and how great Government Social Welfare is great. Of course he already does that from Fort Worth,Texas to Concord, New Hampshire.

    Reply

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