http://www.cnn.com/2002/US/South/12/08/noisy.neighbor.ap/index.html
WASHINGTON, D.C. (AP) -- Neighbors of Vice President Dick Cheney are being shaken and rattled at least once a day by mysterious blasts on the grounds of the U.S. Naval Observatory where Cheney lives.
The Navy says the explosions are part of a construction project that has been going on for several months now, but won't say more because the project is classified...
Mueller said most residents understand that because of national security concerns the Navy can't reveal details or confine the construction to a 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. schedule.
Joseph Rieser, who lives a half block off Observatory Circle, said each blast was "almost like thunder because it rolls and it lasts a noticeable period, probably several seconds." It said the explosions rattle windows that aren't shut tight.
He said his concern was that neighbors received no forewarning of the project. "If this were a normal construction contract I would expect that they would have told the neighbors."
The Washington Post, which reported the issue Sunday, said David Gillard, the observatory's superintendent, had sent the local neighborhood commission a letter noting that "due to its sensitive nature in support of national security and homeland defense, project specific information is classified and cannot be released."
Jennifer Millerwise, a Cheney spokeswoman, referred questions about the project to the Navy.
The Post said neighbors have several theories about what the project might involve.
One is that the government is building a security bunker for Cheney. Another is that it is digging tunnels to spy on nearby embassies. Still another is that a helicopter hangar is being built.
WASHINGTON, D.C. (AP) -- Neighbors of Vice President Dick Cheney are being shaken and rattled at least once a day by mysterious blasts on the grounds of the U.S. Naval Observatory where Cheney lives.
The Navy says the explosions are part of a construction project that has been going on for several months now, but won't say more because the project is classified...
Mueller said most residents understand that because of national security concerns the Navy can't reveal details or confine the construction to a 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. schedule.
Joseph Rieser, who lives a half block off Observatory Circle, said each blast was "almost like thunder because it rolls and it lasts a noticeable period, probably several seconds." It said the explosions rattle windows that aren't shut tight.
He said his concern was that neighbors received no forewarning of the project. "If this were a normal construction contract I would expect that they would have told the neighbors."
The Washington Post, which reported the issue Sunday, said David Gillard, the observatory's superintendent, had sent the local neighborhood commission a letter noting that "due to its sensitive nature in support of national security and homeland defense, project specific information is classified and cannot be released."
Jennifer Millerwise, a Cheney spokeswoman, referred questions about the project to the Navy.
The Post said neighbors have several theories about what the project might involve.
One is that the government is building a security bunker for Cheney. Another is that it is digging tunnels to spy on nearby embassies. Still another is that a helicopter hangar is being built.
