Document 0JE5LxZGqevdp4nY5qxvnyZQn
A Special Report
from the Rohm and Haas
A Community Advisory Council
DID YOU KNOW...
o Knoxville, Tennessee
(/> X
August 1996
u>
si U1
STLCOPCB4037382
"The initiative of Rohm and Haas to form a Community Advisory Council is representative of the progressive corporate attitude and openness toward environmental and community responsibility that I've found throughout my involvement with the company."
Fred Martin Vice-President Economic and Community Development,
Pellissippi State Technical Community College
...We Represent You they learn about the chemical indus East Tennessee's precious natural
In 1988, Rohm and Haas formed the try, the Knoxville manufacturing resources and environment. Others
Knoxville Community Advisory facility, its processes and products, have seen organizations they support
Council (CAC) to serve as its "voice related environmental and safety benefit from the company's corpo
of the community." Put simply, the issues, and the company's impact on rate giving. But one of the biggest
CAC is a way of encouraging dia the local economy. Likewise, the surprises to all of us was how the
logue between the fenceline neigh Council also helps Rohm and Haas specialty chemicals made right here
bors, government and regulatory management to be more aware of at Rohm and Haas' Knoxville plant
bodies, environmental and conserva neighborhood and community inter are found in so many products we
tion groups, civic organizations and ests and concerns.
use every day. From paints and
the local plant. The Knoxville CAC ...You Use Rohm and Haas Products Every Day
was one of the first citizens' councils
created in the U.S., and originally it
consisted of 26 member groups with
As A CITIZENS COUNCIL, WE'VE LEARNED
that Rohm and Haas touches our
caulks to adhesive bandages and facial creams, or detergents and dia
"I have learned so much about the plant and its operations. I never realized so many end products were made with Rohm and Haas
one representative from each organi
lives in more ways than we ever sus
per wipes to paper coatings and fiber-
materials or what a tremendous economic impact this plant has on the community."
f
zation participating in monthly pected. Many of us were aware that filled gloves, we all have used prod
Ellen Adcock
Representative for West View Neighborhood
meetings with plant management the plant was a significant employer ucts that are made possible through
Association; President, Council Of Involved
and other Rohm and Haas person in the community. Some of us were the chemistry of Rohm and Haas'
Neighborhoods
nel. Today, 43 citizens are active on interested in what impact the com Knoxville plant.
,
the local Rohm and Haas CAC, where pany has on our neighborhoods and
DSW 1 3 7 4 2 6
...We Ask Tough Questions and Get Honest Answers
"When I became a member of the CAC, it was not without some apprehension. I was not inter ested in becoming a PR arm of Rohm and Haas. But the plant management quickly dispelled my concerns by acting on our recommendations whenever possible. I am constantly impressed by Rohm and Haas' openness with the CAC and the public."
Mike Tucker Manager of Environmental Services,
Knoxville Utility Board
From thk bkginning, thk cac has
maintained a healthy independence from Rohm and Haas and the local plant. True, we have come to respect the company and management for its commitment to quality, its sense of responsibility to the community
spills, emissions and off-site ship ments of waste. We also have toured the plant and had several programs on the local facility's training pro grams. We've asked and learned about handling procedures in the shipment and transfer of the chemi
and the environment, and its open cals that come and go at the plant.
(S)
X
-t
Ui '
* N)
d
ness with us. But we know that in order to be an effective, third-party sounding board, we must remain objective and be willing to ask the tough questions. That's why, each month, we receive a full report on the plant's safety and environmental
We've reviewed on an annual basis the company's progress in reducing waste and emissions, and we've chal lenged and encouraged the plant to continue its recycling efforts.
Initially, we were surprised at Rohm and Haas' willingness to be
activities -- covering any accidents, honest and direct in answering our
questions, often with the support of an independent consultant or expert. Now we've come to expect --. and will accept -- nothing less. Without it, we will be serving only the plant's interests, and not the interests of the community, which is a critical part of our mission as a CAC.
In 1990, the CAC prompted Rohm and Haas to become a prima ry sponsor in Knoxville's first Household Toxics Roundup as a means for communicating the prop er disposal of certain household products, Many Council members actively worked at the Roundup,
...The CAC Reaches Out to the Communit
Our Mission Statement emphasizes
two-way communication. And that
which collected more than 19,000
pounds of waste for proper disposal.
means CAC members not only must
For more than three years, the
communicate with Rohm and Haas, CAC has set-up and participated in
but also that we must help the plant speaking engagements to various
communicate with you -- the com civic, professional and neighbor
munity. How have we held up tjiis hood groups, providing information
end of the bargain.
on Rohm and Haas and explaining
DSW 1 3 7 4 2 8
the purpose and benefits of a citi
zens council.
In 1993, the CAC helped plan
and participated in a public open
house as part of the Knoxville plant's
50th Anniversary Celebration. This
included development of a pamphlet
and display on the CAC and its role.
More than 1,200 people attended the
one-day event.
`The CAC offers a great way of communica tion between the plant and the community and it helps remove fear from the unknown
Bo Townsend Executive Director of Ijams Nature Park
f
The CAC has encouraged Rohm and Haas to reach out to the local schools, something which the local plant has proactively done for many years. As a result of the CAC's influ
ence, a special presentation featur
ing "Dr. Beaker," a Rohm and Haas
chemist, is seen by hundreds of stu
dents in area schools each year.
The CAC sponsored and promot ed a special Neighborhood Forum in 1994, inviting fenceline neighbors and the community at large to West High School for an open discussion with the Chairman and CEO of Rohm and Haas Company and local plant management.
Reaching beyond the Knoxville community, the CAC has been involved in joint sessions with other Rohm and Haas citizens councils as well as with a similar group from Eastman in Kingsport, Tenn. An important part of our vision for the future is to serve as a role model in encouraging other businesses and industry to communicate openly with the communities they serve.
Mission Statement
As A RKSPONSIBI.K INDUSTRIAL RKSIDKNT
of Knoxville and Knox County, the Rohm and Haas Company of Knoxville believes in ongoing and open discussion with the community regarding its operations, safety pro grams, environmental efforts, and many other aspects of the plant that impact the community.
In order to facilitate communi cation and involvement with repre sentatives of the community, the plant has formed the Rohm and Haas Company Knoxville Com munity Advisory Council. The Council is comprised of representa tives of the Knoxville community who meet on a regular basis with
plant management to explore a vari ety of interests of common concern.
The Council will provide the plant with feedback on its opera tions, concerns of the residents living and working near the facility* and its expectations of the Company. The Council will have an opportunity to review in detail steps being taken to ensure the community of a safe, responsible operation.
The Company expects that the Council will be proactive in recom mending ways of improving commu nications with the general public as well as providing input on commu nity issues that the Company should address as a corporate citizen.
DSW 1 3 7 4 2 9
City of Knoxville Development Services
Charles Barker Manager
Susan Brown Director
Knox County Air Pollution Control Terry Harris Director
Knox County Commission Bee DeSelm
City of Knoxville Fire Department Lloyd Smith Fire Marshal Bill Pittman
Deputy Fire Marshal
Fort Sanders Health Systems Alice Houser
Risk Manager
,,. Knox County Solid Waste Department
Athena Bradley Recycling Coordinator
Knoxville Police Department Sergeant Jack Jinks Virgil Hubbard
Member Organizations/Representatives
For more information about the Rohm and Haas Community Advisory
Council, Knoxville, Tennessee, please call 423-584-0550
f
Fort Sanders Neighborhood Association James Mason
Greater Knoxville Chamber of Commerce David Swanner
Melissa Muendel
Knoxville Utilities Board Mike Tucker
Manager ofEnvironmental Services JoyShular
Environmental Specialist
Local 90 Aluminum at Rohm and Haas Joe Myers President
FredOwenby Vice President
Printed on Recycled Paper
Ijams Nature Park Bo Townsend
Executive Director Jackie Lane
Members at Large Fred Flenniken Lois Russell Nancy Stewart
Old Mechanicsville Neighborhood Interest
Betty Quirk President
Pelllssippi State Technical Community College/Administration
Fred Martin Vice-Presidentfor Economic and
Community Development Joe Andrews
Director ofBusiness and Industry Services Sophia Foster
Student Representative
Rohm and Haas Company
LarryJones
President
*
Charlie Clark
Human Resources Director
Tom Moore
Manager ofSafety, Health
and Environment
,
Sierra Club
Randy Humble
.
' Chairman
William Skelton
1
Wilderness Chair
I
United Way of Greater Knoxville Ben Landers
President and CEO Maxine Miller
Director ofLabor Participation
University of Tennessee Administration Bert Sams
Associate Vice Chancellor of Administration and StudentAffairs
Jason Little Student Government Association President
University of Tennessee Chemical Engineering Department Dr. Don Bogue Professor Dr. Pete Counce Professor
West High School Donna Wright Principal David Bosse
Assistant Principal Louisa Sadler
Student Representative
West View Community Organization Ellen Adcock
Howard Russell