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Meeting of 2001 -02 -15 Special City Council Minutes
Mayor Walter Parker called the February 15, 2001 City Council meeting
to order at 7 P.M. The following members of Council were present: James
G.Burke,Jr., Jack Youmans, Anne Monaghan, Pamela O'Brien, and Mallory
Pearce. Edward Hughes, City Attorney and Tom Cannon were also present.
Mayor Parker opened the meeting and read a resolution ccn_c_rn_ nc the
missing nuclear bomb that is believed to be of_ the coast of Tv bee
island.
Mayor Parker then called on Lt. Colonel Derek Duke to =resent
-eccmmedat_ons from ASSLP.H , a non - profit croup concerned about the
m1331 :C bomb.
Mr. Derek -Luke, a retired Air Force Lieutenant Colonel and President
of Amer -can Sea Shore Underwater Recovery Expedition (ASSZR i apoeared
before Council to present recommendations regar.i_ the missing
thermonuclear bomb in the Savannah R17_= :arbor. Mr.Duke rave a
backarcund on .how t._e bomb was dropmed accident . 7 dun__ a A_= Toros
train -nc m1SSICn on Februar y 5,13.58. He stated that the bomb was a "K-
,Mod 0", "Teller Ulam" thermonuclear des1 r. w1..... elm CS1 rC power of
1.S to 3.0 megatons. Mr.Duke then introduced his fellow associates.
t Arsenc . M±. Walt Strickland. Mr .: ar-13 Parker Mr. Ja % Helmken. A±.
Bill Cr, :lr.:': and Mr. Burt Solo. Each member spcke and gave
backgrounds on their knowledge, expertise, and solutions for he
ccatinc of this dangerous bomb. Mr. Duke read a letter from :^..-.: cwar
Dixon, a retired Air Force CMSat that was stationed at Hunter Air Forte
Base at the time of this incident. M= sward was introduced to Council
and answered cuestions concerning this incident.
Mavcr Parker then asked for questions from Council and those
azzend=ng the meeting.
Council Member, Mallory Pearce asked Mr.Duke if a possible location
is known? Mr. Duke said that the pilot could only estimate this
location. Mr. Pearce then asked Mr.Parker how he became involved in
this matter. Mr. Parkar said that he became aware of a problem when he
was out in his boat and discovered marine life that was deformed. He
then provided proof of this by showing to Council a "crab claw" that he
feels is a mutation.
Council Member, Pam O'Brien asked Mr.Duke how long his group has been
a non - profit organization? Mr. Duke stated that it was formed this past
Spring. Mr.Duke stated that a hurricane could create problems with the
bomb. He said that in order to locate this bomb, adecuate fundinc is
necessary. MS.Duke stated that he has been working with this problem
with Jack Kingston, U.S.Representative.
Mr. Ken Wade told Council that the entire commun_it-7 needs t� help
locate this bomb. He was told that the pilot saw marsh. Mr.Duke said
that it was not possible to see outside because the area was like a
closet on the B -47 (type of plane carrying bomb).
Mr.Fred Nagglemen, (Citizens for Clean Water) stated that he held the
U.S.A.F. responsible to find the bomb and take care of the cost.
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Mr.Don Morekis told Council that if it is located that it may be more
dangerous to remove it due to the Plutonium.
Ms.Sara Bartasack (Georgian's for Clean Energy) read a letter on the
danger of Plutonium.
Mr.Aaron Charles Leverett said that he would not have moved to Tybee
if he had known it could be radioactive. He said that if the pilot
dropped the bomb, there should have been lights marking the area.
Mayor Parker then called for a motion to approve the resolution.
Council Member Pearce approved, seconded by Council Member Monaghan.
Mayor Parker then called for a vote on the resolution. Council
Members Burke and Youmans voted against, with Mr.Youmans stating that
he had heard that this situation was due to a movie being considered.
Council Members Monahan, O'Brien, and Pearce voted in favor. The vote
was passed three to one.
Meeting was adjourned.
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RESOLUTION
Whereas, The Mayor and Council of the City of Tybee Island are concerned about the
safety, health and peace of mind and economic livelihood of the residents of
the City and visitors to the island; and
Whereas, an undetonated bomb was dropped into the ocean waters near Tybee Island in
1958; and
Whereas, the Mayor and Council are uncertain as to whether there is any danger from the
lost bomb and wish to be provided with accurate information relating to the
bomb and any risk associated therewith;
NOW THEREFORE, be it resolved by the Mayor and Council duly assembled,
that the United States Government and in particular, the United States Air Force and the
Department of Energy, are urged to locate the bomb in question and to make a realistic
assessment of potential dangers associated therewith, if any, including the risk of
radiation leakage, and following such assessment, provide a report to the City of Tybee
Island and to Chatham County as to any action needed or appropriate to insure the safety
of the citizens, or to confirm that no remedial action is necessary or appropriate.
Resolved the 15th day of February 2001.
Clerk of Council
Mayor Walter W. Parker