At last week’s city council meeting, several residents who live in neighborhoods near the Smithfield Plant approached the Middlesboro City Council with a request in a respectful, business-like manner. They were asking the council members, their elected representatives, for help.

“We’re asking for the council to work with Cumberland Gap Provision to make people more aware of the dangers of this liquid when it does leak. We’re asking for some kind of warning device so the people in the neighborhood can know when leaks occur so we know how to ... evacuate when it does take place,” said Middlesboro resident David Mike at the meeting.

But their request was met with dead silence. Not a word was spoken and the mayor immediately called on the next citizen who wanted to speak at the meeting. Council then adjourned. It’s truly baffling that the mayor and council members chose not to say anything. Even if Mike, Tracy Barnett, and the other citizens had not addressed the council about the issue, shouldn’t the council or mayor at least have made some statement regarding the anhydrous ammonia spill that wiped out all of the city’s fish? Why were the city council and mayor in such a hurry to adjourn the meeting that they couldn’t at least issue a statement?

One can only wonder why, because at past council meetings, these same elected officials have not failed to respond when addressed by one of their constituents.

These residents were not asking that the Smithfield Plant be closed and run out of town. In fact, in his statement to council Mike said that Smithfield is a benefit to the community, and we agree.

The council was simply being asked to work with the company and all involved agencies to come up with a plan to help prevent further spills, and that if it should happen again that some system be set in place to notify all residents in the effected neighborhood. A perfectly reasonable request given in a clear, concise, respectful manner.

So what could be their possible reason for ignoring asuch a sensible request from the people during an open council meeting. Could it be they are afraid that by doing their jobs to protect the citizens of Middlesboro they would offend the folks at Smithfield?

As it has now been reported, some council members approached Mike and the other residents and offer their support, but only after the meeting had adjourned. And the city is indeed addressing the matter. But we are still left with the question, why only after the meeting had been adjourned and therefore off the record? This was not a controversial request.

The safety of Middlesboro’s citizens is in question. And should anhydrous ammonia spill from the plant again, or any other emergency, lives could be at stake should the city not be properly equipped or prepared.

The mayor and council members are the elected representatives of all the citizens of Middlesboro. They are our voice and they have been entrusted with our safety and the well-being of our community. We should expect nothing less.

In our opinion, however, that ball was dropped at the September 15 council meeting. What do you think?