Small Town USA New Beginning

The next morning, the rains started early in Wilburn, washing away the lingering odors of the recent chemical tragedy. Sean was writing his report to Mrs. Gutierrez as he sat on his bed. He had finally taken a computer course last month at the agency, but these "laptop contraptions" as he called them, were a struggle for Sean. His report read: At 1600 hours yesterday, the HazOp crews packed up and left. Chemicals were pumped into trucks the day before and sent to a hazardous waste site. Most of the media are now gone and the town's people are moving back into their homes but the place is far from normal. There is a lingering odor that no one knows how to get rid of. Farmers in the surrounding areas worry about the crops that did survive and have few people to turn to for help. When I asked them questions they asked me more questions. Special Agent Del Rio offered her assistance, guiding them with information on the chemical compounds, but once they knew the potential problems they felt worse. Another EPA employee spoke at a town meeting and provided the residents with material safety data sheets on the spilled chemicals. This caused more worry about unborn fetuses, farm animals, elders, etc. People are worried about their children. Will they develop cancer? Will their parents? Mr. Hugo Arias has been unavailable and our investigation in Wilburn has led to dead ends. Recent orders are to follow Mr. Hugo Arias to Buenos Aires, where he will attend the International Environmental Conference. We'll catch a flight to Argentina tonight. Sean connected the laptop to his phone line, and e-mailed the report to the agency. After the report was sent Sean's computer message popped up, "You've got mail". The message said: "Your tickets will be at the counter at the airport check-in. Your flight is US Air Flight 210 at 6:22 p.m. tonight from Richmond to Miami. Then you will change over to Argentine Airlines Flight 1402 to Buenos Aires. I'll arrange for you to be met at the airport when you land and to stay at the conference hotel. Assistant Director Gutierrez."