Previous testing in Runkle Canyon 'virtually useless'

As one of the socalled "Radiation Rangers," I was encouraged by your Nov. 23 story concerning the DTSC's offer to oversee cleanup in Runkle Canyon- until I read the quote from Keith Jajko, the developer's spokesperson.

Jajko indicated that the DTSC would be given the "results of previous environmental testing performed at Runkle Canyon" and that he expects that after completing its review, DTSC "will conclude that the site has not been adversely impacted by (the field lab) . . ."

Hold on, Mr. Jajko- we saw you palm that card.

"Previous testing" done in Runkle Canyon is so flawed that it is virtually useless for any purpose other than to support the developer's bogus claims that the canyon is safe.

And then there is city hall. The actions and reactions of city leadership are, to put it mildly, very puzzling. Over the years, our City Council and elected leaders have been positively thunderous in their silence on the subject of Boeing-Rocketdyne and its legacy to the city of Simi Valley.

Unfortunately for the developer, Boeing, the Department of Energy and the City Council, Norman Riley, DTSC's project director, does not appear to be a member of the good old boys "wink, wink, nod, nod" club. Indeed, Mr. Riley appears to take his job seriously, and has delivered on his promises to increase transparency and regain public trust. He strikes me as a highly ethical individual, which is good news for the public and bad news for Boeing and KB Home.

Since the night in April 2004 when the City Council approved this project despite our concerns, the Radiation Rangers and other concerned citizens have asked for only one thing: a complete, unbiased, and systematic radiological and chemical characterization of Runkle Canyon.

It is imperative that we find out exactly what is in Runkle Canyon before we start moving that dirt around and throwing potentially deadly particles into the air. Failure to ascertain the facts could result in a second nuclear event in our city. Patricia Coryell Simi Valley