Four powerful Letters to the Editor in the Scranton Times-Tribune voicing outrage at the results of the recent Dunmore Council vote. The public continues to make it abundantly clear that this expansion is not in the best interest of our community!
Pity for Dunmore
Editor: After reading the story, “Piling it on” in the Sept. 20 issue of The Times-Tribune, regarding Dunmore Borough Council’s declaration that Keystone Sanitary Landfill is not a structure, I extend my sincere and genuine condolences to the survivors of Dunmore.
Its death, although no surprise, is certainly disturbing. The shortsightedness of its council has sealed the fate of this community.
Re-emerging as “Dumpmore” or “Dumptown,” the survivors can call themselves the Dumpmore Dumps rather than the Dunmore Bucks. School logos will, of course, have to be changed, but I’m sure the school district is prepared for such. On the bright side, Dunmore’s contract with Keystone Sanitary Landfill will be intact even as the town is obliterated. Perhaps it could be renamed Centralia.
Next on the list is Throop, which could be renamed “Throw-up.”
I will not be alive in 50 years to see the outcome and the end of the proposed expansion of the Keystone landfill, but the apocalyptic takeover and destruction of two towns for the menial scraps being thrown in their direction is truly a heartbreaking loss.
My sympathy goes out to both.
SANDRA NEWAK
MAYFIELD
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/…/letters-to-the-editor-9-…
Motivation from ‘no’
Editor: On July 18, 2016, I wrote these words and testified at a Department of Environmental Protection public hearing regarding the proposed enlargement of Keystone Sanitary Landfill: “The idea ... suggesting that it’s hard to care about what we don’t see does not suffice in the case of this proposed expansion. Because when it comes to the Keystone Sanitary Landfill, we can and we do see.”
I had just finished my freshman year of college.
Beyond the structure, I testified: “What we see is the expansion of a mountain that is only expanding the divide within our community between those who speak out and those who are silenced by offers they cannot refuse.”
Same story, different day.
I wanted Sept. 19 to be a different story. But Dunmore Borough Council members Thomas Ehnot, Michael Hayes, Michael McHale and Carol Scrimalli said, “No.”
I’ll graduate with my master of public health degree in May 2020 with the same resounding “no” motivating the rest of my career.
EMILY CUFF
DUNMORE
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/…/letters-to-the-editor-9-…
Unnatural splendor
Editor: Driving along Interstate 81 through the Scranton and Dunmore corridor offers beautiful, scenic vistas.
Now, a lovely complement to the potato-peeled West Mountain vista, which helps deliver cheaper electrical power out of the area, is Dunmore’s majestic “devil’s tower,” looming higher and higher in its unnatural splendor.
Perhaps Steven Spielberg will do a “Close Encounters” sequel locally. Just think of the money it would generate.
PAUL McHALE
SOUTH ABINGTON TWP.
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/…/letters-to-the-editor-9-…
Make torment dream
Editor: Keystone Sanitary Landfill will shut down at the end of its current license.
No jobs will be lost. All employees will be transferred to landfill owner Louis DeNaples’ other businesses. Since his D&L Realty owns tens of thousands of acres of land from Forest City to Nanticoke, the DeNaples family has decided to go green.
The family will soon begin construction on two new factories, one to build windmills in Luzerne County and the other to build solar panels in Fell Twp. While they are being constructed, the family plans to reclaim thousands of acres of abandoned, scarred mine land. The leveled, open land will be used to build many solar farms. The mountaintops will be dotted with windmills.
These devices all will be made locally with high-paying union jobs that will greatly enhance the local economy and help to establish the region as a leader in alternative energy.
The pros from this development include:
■ No more imported garbage
■ Reduced truck traffic on local interstates and other roads.
■ An abundance of cleaner and cheaper renewable energy.
■ No more environmental threat from the landfill to the area, the Lackawanna River and the Chesapeake Bay.
■ Higher wages and a potential influx of new residents.
■ Spinoff gains to local businesses, increased local spending and higher tax revenue at all government levels.
■ Reclamation of mine land and an improved regional environment.
■ Exports of finished products nationally and worldwide.
■ Respect.
The only negative is a lack of courage to bring this concept to reality. Wouldn’t it be nice if it came to fruition?
FRAN GRAYTOCK
UNION DALE