sfaap development company named
A company has been selected to provide toxic cleanup and land development for the now-dormant Sunflower Army Ammunition Plant near DeSoto, Kansas; about 15 miles east of Lawrence.
You might ask me why I care about this. There’s a bit of family history tied up in that old ground. My grandfather worked there until his retirement in the 1970s (he died in 1985). My father started working there in 1976 when I was born and remains there to this day. The plant has long since shut down — a small staff (of which my dad is the manager) remains to maintain security and arrange subleases of usable ground and demolition of unusable buildings.
The plant, formerly operated by government contractor Hercules Inc., employed quite a number of people over the years. My father and stepmother met there. Michael’s father worked there before the plant shut down. One of my uncles worked there, and so did many family friends. Most of them lost their jobs when the plant shut down.
That is saddening, but it is good now that the ground will be put to another use — hopefully bringing jobs back to the area.
01.31.2005 @ 07:54
“Hauling bombs for world peace.” Dad used to say.
01.31.2005 @ 21:02
I remember being a little kid and racing Dad home from elementary school; he’d be pulling into the driveway right as school got out.
I also remember thinking it was cool that Dad carried a gun.