In the beginning, this web site was created to express our frustration with the damage done to our home by Marks Contracting, LTD and the lack of cooperation and compassion by those parties involved with the blasting investigation.
The legal battle with Travelers Insurance Co. for responsible reimbursement of damages done to our home was turned over to Dr. Dante Picciano, Esquire and Gary A. Brienza, Esquire. However, both Dante and Gary dropped this family like a hot rock after wasting four years of our lives while doing nothing to help. It was only explained after the passing of these years that we were not worth the effort.
The main obstacles we have tried to overcome by the acknowledged criminal blasting done by Marks Contracting, LTD are the corrupt blast records that were turned over to the Pottsville District Mining Office of the PA DEP. This government department failed to properly investigate these records and as long as they stand as credible evidence we are unable to move forward.
Since January31, 2003 our family has had to endure years of living in filth and unable to finish the remodeling job of our new home due to this corrupt investigation performed by DEP. We have yet to enjoy living in our new home. The corruption of Marks Contracting LTD, McAdoo Sewer Authority, Spotts Stevens & McCoy, Travelers Insurance and the Pottsville District Mining Office continues. Hopefully the corruption will end along with the suffering so that our family can pick up the shattered pieces of our lives and move forward.
In the midst of saving our home and shortly after the creation of this web site, we were introduced to not only the toxic dumping of Coal Fly Ash but other dumping done just a short distance from our home. That awareness combined with the rare cancer that ravaged Patti’s sister and ultimately resulted in her passing away at a young age began a journey into hell that shifted the main theme of this web site to that of toxic waste dumping. As a result, it has become a combined effort; justice for our home and justice for our environment.
6-8-09 The McAdoo Associates Blaine Street test report is posted. This report was part of an ongoing investigation into the pollution that is still present at this location. The report was provided by Brad White and EPA. The report will be permanently available onTOXIC NEWS& DOWNLOADS. REPORT1; REPORT2; REPORT3; REPORT4 & REPORT5
6-4-09 DEP just contacted me over my RTKL request for test reports about my water supply. They can’t understand why I just won’t accept 2007 Consumer Confidence Report and leave them alone; given the amount of pollution around my home this report worthless. He assured me that my water supply is not located next to a toxic coal fly ash dump but never did divulge the secret location to my water supply. Why treat me like a terrorist? Does DEP really think that I am going to find or buy a laser guided missile to plug in the GPS coordinates that I requested? Maybe they think that I want the GPS coordinates to poison my own drinking well; then quit my job sell my damaged home, thanks to DEP and live life on the run. The problem is that DEP does not think they spend most of their brain power trying to cover their ass from the latest lie; the saga continues! DEP 6-3-09 Received; DEP 6-3-09 Letter Sent & 2007 Consumer Confidence Report
6-3-09 DEP just sent their denial of my RTKL request asking for “verifiable proof” and “scientific data “that the A/C Fuels fly ash dump did not pollute the adjacent wet lands. DEP could not fulfill this request because they have no “verifiable proof” and “scientific data”. DEP lied, imagine that! DEP refused my past RTKL request for these documents citing that they were part of their investigation and therefore private. How can documents that never existed be part of an investigation? DEP lied again, imagine that! Am I the only one that is starting to see a pattern when it comes to the investigations conducted by DEP and the Pottsville District Mining Office? DEP 5-26-09 Received 5310-09-004& Mutchler 6-2-09 Letter Sent
6-2-09 This is the standard form that is sent after contacting Terry Mutchler and the Office of Open Records. Hopefully this will help to clarify the process of our new RTKL should someone be contemplating acquiring documents under this new law that went into effect on January 1, 2009. There is also a permanent link posted on our web site. Office Of Open Records Review 5-29-09 & LINKS
6-1-09 A few Emails worth mentioning; EPA has offered to provide the latest DEP test results from the Blaine Street McAdoo Associate Site for free. I will post these shortly after they are received. Incredibly the Standard Speaker does not think that contaminated drinking water or the location of the well that just disappeared thanks to the PA DEP is news worthy. EPA 6-1-09 Received & Speaker 6-1-09 Received Email
5-31-09 I have just received my reply from Gary I. Greenfield, Assistant Regional Director regarding my RTKL request for information into my water supply. The exact location of the water supply for my home is a secret and the PA DEP cannot reveal that secret because I might be a terrorist. When you’re done laughing and think that I have a few screws loose and I’m only making this up; please read the following. DEP 5-30-09 Received; Mutchler 5-30-09 Letter Sent & Speaker 5-31-09 Sent Email
5-29-09DEP denied my RTKL request No. 5310-09-003. This request was for a copy of a Power Point Presentation that I sent to DEP as evidence that there was in fact unsubstantiated blasting done to my property on January 31, 2003. This was irrefutable evidence; the preverbal smoking gun and DEP refuses to talk about this evidence or admit that it even exists to his day. It is my belief that the Pottsville District Mining Office destroyed this evidence in an attempt to cover-up their corrupt investigation. DEP 5-26-09 Received 5310-09-003 & Mutchler 5-29-09 Letter Sent
5-28-09 I just received the reply to most of my Right-to-Know Law requests from the PA DEP. The envelope is roughly one inch thick and stuffed to the brim with denied requests. This represents the single most corrupt communication from DEP; so evil that I am surprised it did not erupt into flames upon opening. Unfortunately and unlike DEP I do not get paid by the taxpayer of PA to sit around and conjure lies all day so I will have to address them one at a time. I will start with my denied request No. 5310-09-002 that requested documents from Darrell Zavislak. Darrell conducted an interview / inspection after the construction company and DEP lied for months about the blasting damage done to my home. Naturally the Pottsville District Mining Office has done everything within their power to prevent me from seeing this report, here we go again! DEP 5-26-09 Received 5310-09-002,Mutchler 5-28-09 Letter Sent,LETTERS SENT &LETTERS RECEIVED
5-24-09 The DEP web of corruption starts to unravel. According to a signed affidavit from Thomas Callaghan, P.G. the PA DEP lied during the investigation into illegal and unsubstantiated blasting done to my home on January 31, 2003. For years we have maintained that the blast records were taken from a forged blast roll. DEP argued that these records were genuine and so was the raw blast roll despite obvious structural damage. My family and their lives were destroyed by this lie and the corruption of the Pottsville District Mining Office. This is only the beginning thanks to President Barack Obama and his new Right-To-Know Law. To all of my neighbors that ridiculed this family as common thieves trying to capitalize at the misfortune of honorable people; KMA. Mutchler 5-23-09 Letter Sent & Thomas Callaghan Affidavit Raw Blast Roll
5-24-09 I allege that Thomas Callaghan; Richard J. Lamkie, Chief Explosives and Safety; Richard Parsons and Dennis Whitaker, Esq. are guilty of government corruption, fraud and conspiracy to obstruct justice in connection with this investigation. Goodman 5-24-09 Sent
5-21-09 After 9 months into my DEP mission impossible quest for a report about my homes water supply I have a reply! Get ready McAdoo you have 1005 in your water! What you don’t know what 1005 is? Join the club because I don’t have a clue either. After 9 months of countless hours writing Right-To-Know Law Requests, countless hours of writing to whatever government official / agency that might act remotely interested I have received pure unadulterated PA DEP B.S. for my efforts. The report that I waited 9 months to receive is mostly in some sort of code and is uncharacteristic of past reports received. The report also appears to be nothing more than an Excel spread sheet that the PA DEP requested an extension before they could fulfill my request; you would think 5 minutes enough time to push the print button. Stay tuned as the mission continues and I attempt to crack the secret code into my water supply and Well#6. DEP 5-19-09 Received 4200-09-019, DEP 5-20-09 Received Well 6, Mutchler 5-20-09 Letter Sent & RTKL 5-20-09 DEP Letter Sent
5-9-09 The document covering the proper disposal of coal fly ash at the A/C Fuel coal fly ash dump, Coal Surface Mining Permit NO. 54980201. I am requesting the document that would specify the method of disposal, i.e.: four feet of ash to one foot of Culm or suitable fill. RTKL 5-9-09 & RTKL 5-9-09 DEP Letter Sent
5-7-09 While going through an old file on the “Insider” scandal I started to take a closer look at the web pages that I saved from the old Truth in Our House web site. There are several comments made by the “Insider” that did not directly affect my family that I overlooked. After a closer examination of the coward that hides behind the alias” Insider”, I can say with 90% certainty that the “Insider” is a “local government official”. Since I take making accusations very seriously I can’t say positively without the preverbal smoking gun. What I will do is post my findings on this web site and allow those interested to draw their own conclusions. I feel that the implications of a “local government official” being the “Insider” profound and dangerous. I will continue to post the “Insider” scandal following the same format on the NAUGHTY web page. I will have my questions answered as to the identity of the “Insider” that used a .gov computer to threaten my family, this matter will be resolved.
5-7-09“I’ll guarantee that 50% of the people who can’t get a job can’t pass a drug test. I see the results, and I talk to others who see the results, and it is problem #1 for the unemployed”. 5-11-07 Truth Insider Given Tour Of New Walmart & NAUGHTY
5-4-09 We are still trying to find an answer to a very simple question, who is the insider that used a .gov computer to threaten my family. Since this quest involves several individuals that were associated with the office of David G. Argall I decided to publish my renewed attempts in the VOTE web page under the NAUGHTYsection. The new web page will start where this last left off; with my reply from Micah Gursky and his lawyer Maryann Conway. Over the next few weeks I will list a review of past ignored letters and political dead ends while trying to gain some sort of closure. Once this is complete I will list the latest attempts at finding out the identity of the insider that used a .gov computer to slander my family. As a disclaimer I have never accused anyone to date as to the identity of this anonymous individual. The only reason that this has gone on for so long is the complete arrogance of ignoring my sincere letters by my elected officials.
5-4-09 All letters sent by the PA DEP explaining how to properly inspect their property for damage and/or contact information that would explain their rights and options to complete these necessary inspection. RTKL 5-4-09 Sent & DEP 5-4-09 Sent
5-3-09 Reply from Terry Mutchler; apparently his office is unable to help with past RTKLR prior to 2009 and I have to wait for DEP to play out their options or whatever game the PA DEP is currently playing. I should have information into my homes water supply by May 18, 2009. Mutchler 4-24-09 Received
4-29-09 Since the Pottsville District Mining Office claims that they only conduct their investigations based on “verifiable facts” and “scientific data” there should have been a simple soil sample tested for explosives.RTKL 4-29-09 DEP Sent & RTKL 4-29-09 DEP Letter Sent
4-26-09 I just got back from an unseasonably warm walk around the strip mine reclamation project in back of My McAdoo Home. I almost walked on a 5 foot black snake sunning him-self on a rock plus I scared off five Turkeys hanging out in the coal fly ash dump, not bad for a short walk.
A large section of the wet lands has been bull dozed under and is forever gone; years of growth and wildlife habitat gone in only a few days. It should be interesting to see if this was an attempt on behalf of the PA DEP to clean up the mess that they created or was this just more wetlands sacrificed to the fly ash god!
I have been begging the PA DEP since November of 2004 to take soil samples of the wetlands that this coal fly ash dump polluted. Now part of the area that needed to be tested has been destroyed. Did DEP take samples before the ground was removed or did they use the 30 day extension of my Right-to-Know Law Request to run in and destroy the evidence, should be interesting.
Last week I made mention that there were no posted signs around the dump. Evidently whoever is in charge of AC Fuel visits this web site because there was a crude attempt to finally post this toxic playground? Now I am not a lawyer but I am fairly certain that painting No Trespassing on a rock or Culm Bank will not stand up in court. To start with the posted sign must include the name of the individual that owns the property plus they must be signed and dated. There is also a law that states the minimum distance between signs; pretty sure that two or three hundred yards between signs is too far. The rock sign would probably hold up in court once it is signed and dated. There is nothing wrong with posting personal property with rock signs or even an occasional Culm bank sign, it’s a free country. There is a problem when this casual attitude to public health and safety involves a million ton of toxic waste.
This is the same dump site that listed a swimming pool as their sediment control facility and now painted rocks? I will post some of the AC Fuel fly ash dump photos during the week. TRESPASSING SIGN, PAINTED ROCK & CULM BANK SIGN
4-26-09 I am requesting documents and/or questions answered by the PA DEP from someone paid for by my tax dollars that will ensure all my records are sent under the Right-to-Know Laws implemented in 2009 by President Barack Obama and endorsed by Governor Edward G. Rendell.
4-23-09 Mission Impossible Update; I just received a reply from the Pottsville District Mining Office to my Right-to-Know Law Request. All 10 RTKLR are “under legal review”. The good news is that under the new 2009 RTKL it took only a week for my reply instead of months and years from the Pottsville District Mining Office and Thomas Callaghan. The bad news is that I have to wait another month for requests that have been made years ago, how much time could you possible need? Any state agency that is unable to provide just one document out of ten has ethical issues. Maybe the PA DEP should spend more time protecting the environment and less time protecting the department and its workers. DEP 4-23-09 Received for all 10 RTKLR
4-23-09 There are several false statement made by Mr. Lamkie on this report and I will be filing a formal complaint to have the PA DEP investigate my allegations. RTKL 4-23-09 DEP & RTKL 4-23-09 DEP Letter Sent
4-21-09 This same eyewitness testimony was also on record while under oath during the trial in Tamaqua as a witness for the PA DEP. This testimony was cross-examined by Dennis A. Whitaker and the defense lawyers present for Marks Contracting, LTD. This eye witness account was never disputed by DEP or Marks Contracting, LTD and is matter of public record. RTKL 4-21-09 DEP, RTKL 4-21-09 DEP Letter Sent & My McAdoo Home Mail Room
4-20-09 I sent several Right-to-Know Law Requests to the Pottsville District Mining Office during the same time period. It is impossible to tell from just the letter sent exactly what Right-to-Know Law Request is No. 5310-09-002RTKL 4-20-09 DEP Letter Sent
4-20-09 Thank you for your efficiency in this request, I did not realize that there were 58 documents available from my three simple Right-to-Know Law request. I have revised my request to help cut the cost for my family. Please notify me of the new cost that would also reflect mailing this document to my place of residence. RTKL 4-20-09 McAdoo Letter Sent
4-18-09 I have more than a few questions; I have a serious problem with yet another delay in this request that was first made back in August of 2008. We are talking about a simple request for documents that would backup my 2007 Consumer Confidence Report for my water supply, why the delay? Cigan 4-17-09 Letter Sent & DEP 4-17-09 Received-4200-09-018
4-18-09 How is it possible to postpone my request for information about the quality of my drinking water? How is it possible under the new law that this could be under legal reviewMutchler 4-17-09 Letter Sent
4-18-09 "I need to plant my garden and would like to know if my family is safe or will the vegetables be contaminated. It is that simple, there is no threat to national security that would prevent DEP from releasing a test result that probably has been finished since September 2008." Mutchler 4-17-09 Letter Sent no2
4-18-09" I have a vegetable garden that is about fifty feet from this test and I need to know if my family is safe from the vegetable that are grown. Should I throw away the plants and cancel my garden this year because DEP wants to play spy vs spy over test results that probably have been published since September of 2008?" Cigan 4-17-09 Letter Sent no2
4-14-09"During the resulting investigation I sent several letters to McAdoo Borough Council to inform the borough that residents of McAdoo Borough were never properly notified to inspect their homes for damage from the illegal blasting of the McAdoo Borough Sewer Authority’s contractor Marks Contracting, LTD." RTKL 4-14-09 Sent & RTKL 4-14-09 Letter Sent
4-13-09 Finally got a chance to tour the old fly ash dump this Sunday; a lot has changed since my last visit. The first thing that I noticed was that the ATV’s are destroying more of the wet land and mine reclamation than normal and DEP could care less. I guess that it helps sway public opinion of your toxic waste dump if you turn it into some pervert version of Disney World. The next big change is the amount of coal fly ash that had eroded from the dump site to places only God knows. There has been a lot of activity at the site that would indicated DEP might be finally testing the wet lands for pollution. It’s hard to tell with the Pottsville District Mining Office mentality that they are some sort of covert agency working with the CIA. You would think that they would have learned by now to just tell the truth; it’s a lot less work. I have published some of the photos in a reduced image format and they are available to view/ download by visiting the TOXIC WASTE PHOTO ALBUM &DOWNLOAD. As usual they are available for anyone to use at anytime. Print one off and show a family member that might not have a computer exactly what is buried practically in their own backyard. Then print off a copy of the analysis and show them that it is far from beneficial, Panther Creek Coal Ash Analyses 08. For the record and before I get another trespass Email; there are no public posted signs or a danger keep out sign from DEP for a quarter of a mile so I did not trespass.
4-13-09 "On April 12, 2009 I toured the wet lands located directly below this dump and noticed several survey markers and what appears to be a hole dug in the middle of the coal fly ash lagoon located at this site. The hole dug appears to be a ground perk test. There is also several PVC piping laid out in a fashion as to monitor and/or collect the water as it flows from the erosion of this dump."RTKL 4-13-09 Sent & RTKL 4-13-09 Letter Sent
4-12-09 The document of the testimony by William Mingo Sr. recorded during the interviews conducted by either Richard Parsons, Richard Lamkie or Dennis A Whitaker, Esq.RTKL 4-12-09 no3Sent & RTKL 4-12-09 no3 Letter Sent
4-12-09 The document of the testimony by Rod Sergent; recorded during the interviews conducted by either Richard Parsons; Richard Lamkie or Dennis A. Whitaker, Esq. RTKL 4-12-09 no2 Sent & RTKL 4-12-09 no2 Letter Sent
4-12-09 The document of the testimony by Charles Sube and recorded during the interviews conducted by either Richard Parsons ; Richard Lamkie or Dennis A. Whitaker, Esq. RTKL 4-12-09 Sent & RTKL 4-12-09 Letter Sent
4-11-09 DEP ignored my previous Right-to-Know law request forcing me to waste more time asking for the same documents under the new Right-to-Know law. All that I requested was “scientific data” and “verifiable facts” from the investigation conducted by Sharon Hill; P.G. This investigation was to substantiate previous DEP lies that the A/C Fuel fly ash dump was beneficial to the environment and my community. RTKL 4-11-09 no2, RTKL 4-11-09 no2 Letter Sent,DEP 1-27-09 Sent & LETTER SENT
4-11-09 DEP ignored my previous Right-to-Know law request forcing me to waste more time asking for the same documents under the new Right-to-Know law. All that I requested was “scientific data” and “verifiable facts” from the investigation conducted by Randy Shustack SMCI Supervisor. This investigation was to substantiate previous DEP lies that the A/C Fuel fly ash dump was beneficial to the environment and my community. RTKL 4-11-09, RTKL 4-11-09 Letter Sent & LETTER SENT
4-10-09The Office of Open Records has found a permanent home on our LINKSpage. This office will help to enforce the new Right-to-Know laws that took effect on January 1, 2009. There is also a generic Right-to-Know law request form found on this web site. While each department will probably have their own this should be the master key form to open those closed files and doors. I will keep a download zip file permanently on our DOWNLOAD page for easy access.
4-10-09 I am still trying to get the raw blast roll record from the illegal blasting done to our home on January 31, 2003. The criminal conspiracy by the Pottsville District Mining Office to suppress this evidence has prevented my family from having our home repaired. RTKL 4-10-09 no5,RTKL 4-10-09 no5 Letter Sent &LETTER SENT
4-10-09 I am requesting under the new Right-to-Know law a copy of the report that led DEP to conclude that there was no undocumented blasting by Marks Contracting, LTD on January 31, 2003. For a peak at pure DEP corruption take a look at the Power Point Presentation that I sent to DEP as evidence. This evidence could be considered a “smoking gun” that there was undocumented blasting done to our home. Despite fuses being dug from the ground in an area that Marks denied blasting in DEP still said that blasting did not happen in this area. DEP tried to cover up this evidence and are guilty of criminal conspiracy to obstruct justice. The entire investigation conducted by DEP was corrupt and my family continues to suffer to this day. RTKL 4-10-09 no4, RTKL 4-10-09 no4 Letter Sent & LETTER SENT
4-10-09 Filing a new request for documents that the Pottsville District Mining Office insisted on keeping secret. This was information into an investigation conducted by DEP into our complaint of undocumented blasting my Marks Contracting on January 31, 2003.RTKL 4-10-09 no3, RTKL 4-10-09 no3 Letter Sent & LETTER SENT
4-10-09 All of my time and expense in trying to get a few simple test results are wasted. DEP and EPA in their usual arrogance have refused to contact me and now I am forced to make the same request all over again. This time the new request is made under the Right-to Know law that was established January 1, 2009; time will tell if there is a difference or just another PA DEP scam. RTKL 4-10-09 Sent, Office of Open Records 4-1-09 Received, RTKL 4-10-09 Letter Sent & LETTERS SENT
4-10-09 Requesting test results under the new RTKL from the McAdoo Associates Blaine Street site, "On August 19, 2008 Marcy Stonecipher (Project Geologist) from Aestus, LLC conducted a test of the above mentioned site. They used a new technology called Geo Trax Survey to take an underground snap-shot of this toxic waste site." RTKL 4-10-09 no2, RTKL 4-10-09 no2 Letter Sent, EPA8-18-08ReceivedEmail & LETTER SENT
4-8-09 There is still no reply from DEP or EPA concerning my Right-to-Know law request about the quality of my drinking water. The good news is that Terry Mutchler; Executive Director / Office of Open Records has offered to assist me. The bad news is that I have to file all of my requests under the new Right-to-Know law enacted on January of 2009. Apparently the old law was not a law but a policy that was left up to the ethics of DEP and the individual employees of that department. It is self evident from the lack of cooperation from DEP that they are without ethics. Now I have to resend all of my ignored requests and kiss years of time and patience goodbye. For this privilege I get paid nothing for my wasted time and materials while DEP gets overpaid to do nothing but hide behind their worthless laws / policies and fester in corruption! State Ethics 4-8-09 Sent & Office of Open Records 4-1-09 Received, Letter Sent & Letters Received
3-29-09 Still no word or documents from my Right-to-Know law request made on August3, 2008. I have repeatedly contacted DEP about my water supply and now they refuse to answer me at all. I contacted EPA after DEP refused to contact me and now EPA refuses to contact me about my water supply. The arrogance of both DEP and EPA to decide that my rights are worthless and up to them to grant is nothing less than pure corruption. Now DEP and EPA have forced me into spending another wasted night writing yet another letter while trying to gather information in our new transparent government that President Obama promised. It has been my past experience with DEP that given the chance they will B.S. you forever; the tactics is to jerk you around for years until you give up and just fade away. The fact that now they refuse to contact me while continuing to lie leads me to believe that someone has lifted the rock that they crawled under and started an investigation, hopefully! Mutchler 3-29-09 Sent
3-21-09 I just received a reply from Robin M. Little, Chief Counsel for the State Ethics Commission. The State Ethics Commission does not have authority to act on my complaint of Right-to-Know violations, destruction of evidence, witness tampering and conspiracy to obstruct justice. I wish someone would explain this to me; anybody? Does this mean that the state of Pennsylvania considers this type of corrupt behavior ethical? Maybe this falls into some sort of grey area especially reserved for the PA DEP and the Pottsville District Mining Office. Have we created a special state agency that falls outside of the fundamental system of checks and balances; an agency that answers to no one? I have been fighting this for over six years and have been pushed off to every state and federal agency that I could find with no help. Each one trying to distance themselves the minute I mention that DEP violated my rights. It amazes me, every time that I offer ample evidence to prove my allegations they refuse to even take a peek at what I have to offer, what are they afraid of? I tried to file my complaints with DEP for years and they treated me and my complaints like a joke- a saga; expecting DEP to police their own is like asking a spoiled child to punish himself when bad and it’s never going to happen. What happens next? Is expecting justice from the PA DEP reserved only for the rich who can afford lawyers? Who do I turn too? I am running out of agencies and options. I am looking forward to the day when my allegations are taken seriously and each of the state agencies’ that abandoned me when I asked for help have to explain why! Ethics 3-17-09 Received
3-9-09 Our family received a reply from Robert A. Mulle, Chief Deputy Attorney General about my complaint involving DEP and my Right-to-Know-law violations, Attorney General 3-6-09 Received. Mr. Mulle advised that I contact the State Ethics Commission, “This is more than a simple misunderstanding with my Right-to-Know law rights and the Pottsville District Mining Office. I firmly believe that this information was denied and covered up as part of a criminal conspiracy to obstruct justice by the Pottsville District Mining Office.” State Ethics 3-10-09 Sent
3-2-09 Still trying to have my questions answered after receiving my 2007 Consumer Confidence Report back in August of 2008, “After months of countless hours wasted trying to acquire information that I am entitled to under state and federal law I am right back at the beginning and this is wrong. Can you provide me with one person within this countries government to answer my questions? After taking another look at my 2007 Consumer Confidence Report I see that my water is owned by United Water. United Water is a subsidiary of Suez Environment Corporation which is a billion dollar conglomerate that resides in France. I am not sure why my water and its quality are owned and managed by the French but should I contact the French government for answers to my communities’ water supply? Or should I contact the Suez Environment since there is no intelligent life within the PA DEP?” 3-2-09 EPA Sent Email
2-22-09 More time wasted while trying to get answers to my 2007 Consumer Confidence Report over my water quality; not feeling very confidant at this point! For the record, I sent Rep. David Argall another courtesy copy just like I have done for months in hopes that he might do his job. I never receive a reply and so I fail to see why people think that Dave will make a good state senator. He was incompetent as a state representative; do people really think that some sort of divine transformation will take place once he is senator? More than likely he will still be the same old incompetent Dave, just more powerful and wealthier; it’s not a pretty picture. DEP 2-22-09 Sent Email no2
2-15-09Posted for today are a few of my Right-To-Know requests from the Pottsville District Mining Office of DEP. This information packet mainly deals with the Panther Creek Co-Gen’s fly ash and its final resting place at the A/C Fuels coal fly ash dump. There are several reports that monitor the ground water and test results from well number 1 located near the property. I’ll post the results as soon as I pinpoint the location and ask DEP a few questions. What I will post today are the recent PANTHER CREEK COAL ASH AND LEACHATE ANALYSES from the coal fly ash currently dumped and stored at A/C Fuels; just click onto the link provided. Take a good hard look at the dry weight analyses for the “beneficial waste” that DEP is condoning and encouraging. Would you want your loved one to breath in and ingest Aluminum, Antimony, Arsenic, Barium, Beryllium, Boron, Cadmium, Calcium, Chromium, Cobalt, Copper, Iron, Lead, Manganese, Mercury, Molybdenum, Nickel, Selenium, Silver, Sodium, Thallium, Vanadium, and Zinc. Every time a fly ash truck speeds by and crop dusts your car you are breathing this in. Every time the wind blows in your direction from the dump and into your home you are breathing this in. Every time you walk outside you are breathing this in. Every time you pat junior on the head and send him off to play in the “beneficial fly ash” with his ATV, he is breathing this in. Get the point? Point reminds me of another concern, those pointy little particles contained in fly ash are proven to cause silicosis; irreversible lung damage. I don’t think anybody seems to care because the same politicians that encourage this activity keep getting elected. Who do they care about? Good health should be the foundation of a community. Hopefully the day will come when my community says NO to industrial waste dumping and teach their families that they deserve respect and a home; not a trash can to live in. Interestingly, EPA monitors air quality throughout this country; ever wonder why they refuse to monitor the communities that surround the Co-Gens and their dumps? Here is a clue, collateral damage, think about it!
2-2-09 "I do have one final question before I seek another government office for assistance. What if the refusal of documents and information under the Right-to-Know Act was used to cover-up illegal activity and department lies within the Department of Environmental Protection?
This type of activity to me would fall outside of the normal Right to Know Act laws and standard procedures. To an average citizen this would appear to be government corruption." Corbett 1-28-09 Received & Corbett 2-2-09 Sent
1-31-09 After reading my 2007 Consumer (Lack Of) Confidence Report and finding that we had elevated levels of Arsenic I contacted Bob Urban of the Times News. My thinking was that this was the neighborly thing to do since most people that I talk to do not read this report or understand it. I figured that this would make a good public service article for the paper and alert s few of my neighbors about the risk of Arsenic in out drinking water. This turned out to be just another waste of my time because to the best of my knowledge the Times News never printed anything about this and Bob Urban simple deleted my last Email without even a goodbye, what a guy!Times News 1-29-09 Letter to the editor,
1-29-09Today I was contact by Brad White of EPA over the water quality questions that I asked for back in August of2008. To this date I have not received one report or document but Brad has convinced me that we are getting close to the magic moment.EPA 1-29-0 Sent Email
1-27-09Instead of a simple process my Right-to Know Law rights have been turned into some sort of Whack-A-Mole game where you keep dodging the issue. This has put an enormous strain on my patience and family resources for such a simple request.
The lasts complaint that prevented me from acquiring my records is that your office has an overwhelming amount of “verifiable facts” and “scientific data’ from these investigations and that it would cost too much to send. DEP 1-27-09 Sent & DEP 1-27-09 Sent no2
1-25-09 "Numerous courtesy copies have been sent to Representative David G. Argall and Senator Specter in hopes that they could pry the information loose. Typically, I received no reply from Mr. Argall; either my water supply does not concern him or he is not capable of fulfilling his elected duties. Either way I loose and should probably consider making a campaign donation to put me ahead of the line.
As a citizen of this country I should not need the funds to hire a lawyer to receive what rights are mine under the constitution. Those rights include quality water, air and open government records to determine if I am receiving these basic rights." EPA 1-24-09 Sent
1-23-09More corruption and lies from the Pottsville District mining Office and Thomas Callaghan. I continue to ask for documents that back up all the garbage that they keep sending and they refuse to admit that they are just lying, the saga continues. Hopefully someone will pull the plug on this corrupt government agency and put out tax dollars to better use. DEP 1-21-09 Received, DEP 1-23-09 Sent& DEP 12-27-08 Sent
1-15-09I just received my first DEP Right-to-Know Law request from this year on time and complete, imagine that! The request was well ahead of the others made from last year and hopefully is a sign of things to come from the Pottsville District Ming Office, DEP1-12-09 Received & DEP 1-16-09 Sent.
I will also post the permit received from DEP for the Honeybrook fly ash dump,Honeybrook Refuse Permit 54960201R2. It might be a good idea if you live nearby to at least familiarize yourself with the permit that doesn't expire until March 21, 2012. Remember this is the permit that allowed the dumping of industrial waste only a stones throw away from the “Welcome to McAdoo” sign as you enter town. It is also worth mentioning that Russell Postupack owns the company responsible for dumping at this location and is also on the Kline Township Zoning Board that granted the zoning permits for his dump, you can’t even make stuff like this up!
1-3-09I finally made my New Year pilgrimage to the DEP “beneficial” A/C Fuel fly ash dump today. The fly ash dump is still eroding away in huge chunks like a glacier of industrial waste, for some reason DEP is unable to see this. The fly ash lagoon that I have been reporting since November 2004 is once again empty and filled with coal fly ash sediment. The dump has now expanded by about 50 yards to include some of the area in the wet lands that I initially reported was contaminated with pollution. Since November 2004 DEP has refused to take samples and now part of the area has been destroyed along with the needed test results. I did not want to trespass but it also looks as if the original well has disappeared and they are drilling a new test well. Since DEP has been guilty of corruption with this “project” it was only a matter of time before they destroyed any evidence of pollution; I am surprised that it took them this long! I have contacted since November of 2004; DEP, EPA, PA Fish Commission, Representative David G. Argall and Governor Ed Rendell. The local McAdoo councilmen also visit this web site and are not interested in stopping this pollution. I have also contacted the various news papers in an attempt to draw attention to the problem. The local press has never heard of investigative reporting. I had one reporter Email me and say that DEP refused to answer his questions so he gave up, imagine that. Perhaps if our lives and property values were worth something public opinion might change things but for now DEP reigns supreme. Of course I will continue to at least try to have DEP clean this mess up, if nothing else it will document the years of DEP corruption.
I have published some of the photos from my walk. Click on the PDF file to view some lower quality images, 2009 AC FUEL_1-3-09. I also put together a slide show that was too large to sanely post on the web. I instead made it available for download, 2009 AC FUEL EXE. Start 2009 with a free screen saver from My McAdoo Home, 2009 AC FUEL SCREEN SAVER
1-3-09 New year sheds much more light on public records, Speaker 1-3-09
1-3-09 "The coal fly ash dump that I am requesting information is located just north of the McAdoo Borough city limits and viewable from route 309. The west end of this coal fly ash dump is a few hundred yards from Celebration Creek and the Blaine Street McAdoo Associate Super Fund Site."DEP 1-3-09 Sent
DEFINING CORRUPTION
Literally means to destroy (from the Latin corruptus)
Is not a rare phenomenon: Takes many forms with different types of participants, settings, stakes, techniques and different degrees of cultural legitimacy; is not only about stealing: it can also relate to the abuse of power in decision making processes. Is a form of behavior that deviates from ethics, morality, tradition, law and civic virtue.
