Speech
To the people of Libby following the Closure of Stimson Lumber
Remarks of Governor Judy Martz
Libby
11/1/2002
Good evening.
Last year, I joined you here on a cold December afternoon to announce that I was designating Libby as a Superfund site through the use of the Silver Bullet.
When I was here, I shared with you my belief that the people of Libby represent everything that is right about America. You are honest, hardworking people, with a deep sense of community and pride.
This is a community that has seen some rough times, yet you remain committed to working toward a better future.
When I made the announcement that cold December day, I shared with you the sincere hope that the Superfund cleanup would ensure that Libby truly is ‘open for business’.
We are moving forward from that announcement.
We continue to work to address the healthcare needs of those impacted by asbestos related diseases.
We continue to work to ensure that the EPA remains within the parameters outlined to quickly clean up this community.
We continue to work together with you to find ways to make Libby and the surrounding area a vibrant economy again. And I know we are headed in the right direction.
And then, just as the wheels begin to roll on the Superfund cleanup, your community is hit again with the devastating announcement of the closure of the community’s largest single employer, Stimson Lumber. This announcement affects more than just Libby. The nearby community of Troy is hard hit as well, and the impacts ripple throughout western Montana.
If you recall, one of the conditions I placed on my decision to use the Silver Bullet was that the EPA would work with this town’s largest employer to ensure cleanup efforts would not jeopardize the mill’s economic viability. I understand the importance of the jobs this mill provides.
The EPA willfully agreed to this condition because they understood the importance of this job provider.
This community and this part of the state have tremendous leaders. People who work their heart and soul for the community, mostly behind the spotlight, and mostly without recognition.
Folks like your county commissioners, Rita Windham, Marianne Roose and John Konzen who have put their reputations, and their names on the line for a community they love.
People like Bruce Vincent who travels the country fighting for a way of life represented by those who make a living packing a lunch box and with dirt under their fingernails.
And an entire community that has spent their time with their heads down and their tails up trying to scratch out a living in a remote rural community.
Different political stripes, different vocations, different backgrounds…….all with the same goal: Keeping a healthy, vibrant community together.
God bless them all and God bless you.
Unfortunately, forces larger than my office, and larger than your collective wills are currently dealing the cards.
This community, along with Troy and the surrounding area, have been dealt an unfair and heartbreaking hand.
I’m sorry that we are here tonight under these circumstances.
I’m sorry because I grew up in a community who has faced exactly what you are facing.
I’m sorry because we’ve come so far, and it is devastating for a community of this size to face the loss of so many jobs.
But most of all, I’m sorry because NO community – no person – no family should EVER have to face what you are facing.
We’re here because we care. I cannot begin to know the pain that you have in your heart because every individuals is affected differently.
But we want to listen. We want to hear from you. We want to share with you the resources to which you have access.
I have spoken directly with Andrew Miller, Stimson’s president. I wish, with all of my heart, that we could change the company’s announcement – that we could turn back the clock and bring the company back to profitability.
We can’t change that announcement. We can’t bring back those jobs. But I commit to you that we will do everything we can to bring NEW jobs to this community.
We will stand beside you as we work to bring new businesses to this area.
We will stand beside you as we seek ways that you can support your families and stay in Libby and Troy through these difficult times.
Building on the relationship we’ve forged, I commit to you that we will stand with you during these tough times.
Because, together, we simply must bring good paying jobs back to this town.
We must work together to plan a brighter future. As I look around this evening, I firmly believe that there is still a ray of hope in this community. Working together, we will make that ray of hope stronger for your families and your children.
We have come here tonight to listen, and to provide information to you about programs to meet your immediate needs.
Let me introduce the individuals I have traveling with me this evening.
Lynn Long from our Department of Labor and Industry has joined me tonight to provide information about workforce programs available to you from their agency.
I have also asked Chief Policy Advisor Tom Beck, Natural Resources Policy Advisor Todd O’Hair, Chief of Staff Barbara Ranf and Deputy Communications Director Meta Boyer to join me from my staff to provide assistance and follow up as needed.
In addition, Dave Gibson, our chief business officer, and Mark Simonich, Director of the Department of Commerce, are planning to travel to Libby in the next two weeks to meet with legislators and local business leaders to determine how we can best help bring new business opportunities right here to Libby.
Folks, it is also absolutely critical that the federal, state and local efforts are all working toward the same end - to help those directly and indirectly impacted by the mill closure. We simply must work together to find all available options to help the communities of Libby and Troy.
That is why I am also thankful this evening to have Senator Conrad Burns join me to listen and carry back the needs of this community to the federal level.
You folks need to know that our decision to come to Libby was arranged yesterday. Conrad had commitments, Conrad was busy, yet Conrad understands the devastation faced by this community.
Conrad, thank you for the work that you do, and thank you for joining me here this evening.
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