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JOHN T. TOLER, Executive Vice President To Subscribe Phone (703) 675-3338 BY MAIL: $14.00 a year in Rappahannock and adjoining counties $18.00 a yaar elsewhere in tha Unitad State* BACK COPIES: 3 months or more 70c, 1 -2 years - $1 00; over 2 years - $3.00 (if available) OFFICE: Rappannock News Bldg , Washington, Va 227<7 Telephone: 703-675-3338 HOURS: 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Mon.-Fri. Published by Arundel Newspapers Member, Audit Bureau of Circulation. THURSDAY, OCTOBER 12. 1989
Shifting blame This week, the beleagered Avtex Fibers plant in Front Royal announced that it is laying off half of its workers and shutting down its remaining rayon staple production lines. In making the announcement, Avtex Chairman John Gregg said, in a prepared statement, that the news media and unnecessary court actions by the Commonwealth of Virginia are to blame for the company’s decision. In pointing fingers at the state and the news media, Mr. Gregg implicitly algo blames them for the workers who, as of Friday, are out of work. It is unfortunate that, even at this late date, Mr. Gregg still refuses to acknowledge the true culprit in the Avtex mess — namely, his own corporation’s mismanagement of the company and its facility. True, a lack of communication between state and federal regulatory agencies probably contributed to the plant not being closed before now, but they are not the primary cause. ” For years Avtex Fibers, through its managers, has used every legal loophole imaginable to skirt closure of the plant because of violations of environmental, worker health and - safety regulations. The plant has been repeatedly cited for violations, but through half-hearted efforts and empty promises has managed to keep operations going. Meanwhile, the environmental problems have mounted. ^ The time has come to Avtex to face up to its years of ;« neglect of state and federal regulations. :: And the blame for the company’s plight, Mr. Gregg, lies - not with the news media or the regulators charged with : overseeing the plant. It lies with you, and with the arrogant I attitude which has left Avtex an environmental nightmare. - The workers who have lost their jobs should look toward : Mr. Gregg and the company’s other top management for the blame. But we’re willing to bet that the workers won’t meet : them in any unemployment lines.
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