WALKER COUNTY AND COMPANY OFFICIALS HAVE RESPONDED TO CHARGES MADE BY CRITICS… AFTER LAST WEEK'S ANNOUNCEMENT THAT REALBRIGHT SUNRAE IS PLANNING TO LOCATE A BOTTLED WATER FACILITY IN A PORTION OF THE FORMER BARWICK ARCHER PLANT IN KENSINGTON.     

     ONE:  THE WATER TO BE BOTTLED WILL NOT COME FROM WELLS ON THE SITE – BUT FROM THE WALKER COUNTY WATER AUTHORITY.  IN OTHER WORDS, IT WILL BE PURIFIED TAP WATER… WHICH COMMISSIONER BEBE HEISKELL SAID IS "HIGHLY REGULATED AND CLEAN".

     AND TWO:  WALKER COUNTY GOVERNMENT IS MAKING NO INVESTMENT IN THE PROJECT.   SUNRAE PRESIDENT MIKE SCHIECK TOLD REPORTERS LAST WEEK THAT HIS COMPANY IS NOT ASKING FOR GOVERNMENT SUBSIDIES OR ASSISTANCE, FOR THE START-UP VENTURE.  "I'M THE CAPTAIN OF THE BOAT", HE SAID… "WHETHER WE'RE ON A CRUISE LINE OR THE TITANIC".   

    DRENNAN CRUTCHFIELD – OWNER OF THE BARWICK PROPERTIES IN THE LAFAYETTE AREA – SAID HE IS PREPARING A PORTION OF THE KENSINGTON PLANT FOR USE BY SUNRAE… ABOUT 40,000 SQUARE FEET TO START.  THE COMPANY HAS SIGNED A 3-YEAR LEASE.  SEVERAL OTHER SMALL COMPANIES LEASE SPACE AT THE SPRAWLING FACILITY.

    SUNRAE PLANS TO EMPLOY 20-PLUS PEOPLE AT THE START, WHICH IS SCHEDULED FOR JULY.  THEY SAY THEY PLAN TO HIRE FROM THE LOCAL AREA.  WALKER COUNTY AND COMPANY OFFICIALS HAVE RESPONDED TO CHARGES MADE BY CRITICS… AFTER LAST WEEK'S ANNOUNCEMENT THAT REALBRIGHT SUNRAE IS PLANNING TO LOCATE A BOTTLED WATER FACILITY IN A PORTION OF THE FORMER BARWICK ARCHER PLANT IN KENSINGTON.     

     ONE:  THE WATER TO BE BOTTLED WILL NOT COME FROM WELLS ON THE SITE – BUT FROM THE WALKER COUNTY WATER AUTHORITY.  IN OTHER WORDS, IT WILL BE PURIFIED TAP WATER… WHICH COMMISSIONER BEBE HEISKELL SAID IS "HIGHLY REGULATED AND CLEAN".

     AND TWO:  WALKER COUNTY GOVERNMENT IS MAKING NO INVESTMENT IN THE PROJECT.   SUNRAE PRESIDENT MIKE SCHIECK TOLD REPORTERS LAST WEEK THAT HIS COMPANY IS NOT ASKING FOR GOVERNMENT SUBSIDIES OR ASSISTANCE, FOR THE START-UP VENTURE.  "I'M THE CAPTAIN OF THE BOAT", HE SAID… "WHETHER WE'RE ON A CRUISE LINE OR THE TITANIC".   

    DRENNAN CRUTCHFIELD – OWNER OF THE BARWICK PROPERTIES IN THE LAFAYETTE AREA – SAID HE IS PREPARING A PORTION OF THE KENSINGTON PLANT FOR USE BY SUNRAE… ABOUT 40,000 SQUARE FEET TO START.  THE COMPANY HAS SIGNED A 3-YEAR LEASE.  SEVERAL OTHER SMALL COMPANIES LEASE SPACE AT THE SPRAWLING FACILITY.

    SUNRAE PLANS TO EMPLOY 20-PLUS PEOPLE AT THE START, WHICH IS SCHEDULED FOR JULY.  THEY SAY THEY PLAN TO HIRE FROM THE LOCAL AREA.