General addresses concerns during
'town hall' meeting at Zama
By Fred Knapp, Zama bureau
chief
CAMP ZAMA — In the aftermath of terrorist attacks at the World Trade Center and
the Pentagon, residents are wondering about everything from base security to the
construction of an elementary school.
Those were among the concerns at a "town hall" meeting by several hundred
people here Wednesday afternoon.
Maj. Gen. Alan Johnson, commander of the U.S. Army Japan based here, fielded questions
for an hour, seeking to provide information and reassurance, or in some cases, promising
to look into issues further.
At the same time, he warned people to expect disruptions of their daily routines.
The updated plan at Misawa Air Base calls for bringing pets to a center for evacuation.
While not giving specifics on Zama’s plan, Johnson said they do not, and will not,
euthanize pets.
One person asked if the security clampdown would delay construction of an elementary
school at Sagamihara Family Housing Area, planned for occupancy in November 2002, or the
demolition of housing to be removed and replaced over the next several years.
Although some contractors stopped work for a few days because of difficulty getting
workers onto the base, the schedule has some "float" built in, and projects tend
to be finished ahead of time, Johnson said, adding, "I think we’re going to stay
right on schedule."
Several questioners asked about scheduling of guards, some of whom have been working
without days off.
"That should not be happening," Johnson said, urging people to speak to
commanders if it continued.
While praising community members for their hard work and cooperation during the last
few weeks, Johnson said too much work could produce stress that will increase the risk of
abuse of family members and alcohol.
"There’s nothing wrong with taking time off," he said.
Johnson ended the meeting just minutes after the 3 p.m. start of "family
time," the early end to work here on Wednesday afternoons.
But before people left, he acknowledged: "I think all of us know or sense that
life as we knew it before 11 September has changed."
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