Special Delivery of River Dredge

HAZLETON, Pa. -- If residents of Greater Hazleton finally realize that their health and well-being is at terrible risk right now, they are virtually assured the situation is going to get a whole lot worse.

A state grant of $250,000 has been awarded to Hazleton Creek Properties to construct a new railroad track to haul millions upon millions of highly toxic river dredge sludge to the Hazleton area for dumping.

It means that Greater Hazleton is certain to strengthen its unenviable, horrifying title as Cancer Capital U.S.A.

(The incredible health statistics are shown below.)

Unquestionably, the importation of river dredge by rail means more and more residents will be afflicted with -- and die from -- cancer and other related horrible and mostly incurable diseases.

It's just additional proof that Mayor Barletta, his Three Stooges on city council, city administrator Sam Monticello, state Rep. Todd Eachus, state Rep. Raphael Musto and others have absolutely no regard for the health and well-being of their fellow man.

Quite frankly, they should be tarred and feathered and run out of town because of their total disregard for the pain and suffering they have caused and will continue to cause.

Not only will it cause premature death to many but it also will result in tremendous heartbreak at the loss of someone's loved one, especially innocent children.

Not only will residents of Greater Hazleton be placed in even worse danger than before but the victims will include those living many miles away. Folks living in neighboring counties are facing a serious threat because of the dumping of river dredge as well as fly ash.

As for the grant to construct the railroad to Humboldt, the massive cars full of river dredge will be unloaded at a facility in the industrial park.

Monticello has been quoted as calling the delivery of the river dredge sludge by rail "great news for all concerned for the reclaiming of mine land."

Monticello also said the importation of the dredge from the Delaware River -- filled with more than a hundred toxic poisons, including traces of arsenic -- will provide a more environmental friendly method of delivering the hazardous waste and poisons.

These remarks are an insult to everyone's intelligence and Monticello should be forced to resign immediately.

Monticello also revealed that the city will be paid $1.25 for each cubic yard of material that is dumped here, which in time will add up to millions upon million of dollars. The dumping of the river dredge supposedly will continue for 10 to 20 years.

"If they're shipping a greater volume of material ... by rail, it would increase our revenue," he added.

Meanwhile, CAN-DO Inc. will be awarded $478,756 in a separate state grant which was part of Gov. Ed Rendell's "stimulus" package for rehabilitating the Norfolk Southern Catawissa Railroad and the Hazleton Running Track within the industrial park.

Monticello said he didn't know if huge dump trucks also will continue to bring shipments of poisons to the Hazleton area once the railroad line is constructed and in full operation.

Trucking in the river dredge sludge had proceeded briskly for several months but was discontinued in late last year because of the lack of dredge available to deliver.

It did not end because the Pillars of Society had come to their senses and finally felt an obligation to protect the health and safety of their fellow man.