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 website, 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.
For the record; I sent a courtesy copy to Representative David Argall hoping that he might help or at least be a little interested in the corruption that I have been experiencing with DEP. I have not heard one reply from his office including the many support staff that are getting paid with our tax dollar to communicate with us. Perhaps if I sent a large donation to fuel the Argall political machine I might get a token letter in reply, ask not what Argall can do for you but what you can afford to have done!
9-11-08 Washington, DC, September 11, 2008 – Congress today began an investigation into EPA malfeasance, as victims of sewage sludge dumping gave information at an oversight briefing of the U.S. Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works (EPW). The briefing, chaired by Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA), heard from experts and poisoning victims who urged Congress to immediately issue a moratorium on regulations that allow dumping of hazardous sewage sludge on farmland and public parks.Sludge Release 9-10-09, NEWS ALERT FOR SLUDGE BRIEFING 9-10-09 & LauraOrlando 9-10-09
9-9-08 Fish in Pennsylvania unfit to eat, drinking water that kills, what next living with bottled air to survive? At what point do we begin to realize that there is a problem that is not going away on its own. Maybe there are more important things in life to worry about than the price of gas!
9-9-08 "I invite you to read my report on the federal Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry's confirmation of a high rate of polycythemia vera in Schuylkill, Luzerne and Carbon counties, as well as their confirmation of several clusters inside that area where the PV rate is higher still. Titled "Feds confirm Hometown-area blood cancer cluster, but no urgent action taken for public health despite obvious risks," it's online here: http://www.hometownhazards.com/2008/09/feds-confirm-hometown-area-blood-cancer.html
9-7-08 While sitting on my back deck on Friday morning I noticed a steady stream of fly ash trucks, loaded and headed to the AC Fuels fly ash dump. Since this dump and its DEP investigator are under investigation I decided to see what was going on. Much to my surprise I was faced immediately by an enormous wall of coal fly ash. Evidently the project was never put on hold while the investigation continued. Truck load after truck load was being dumped and left uncovered just before a major storm approached directly above the wetlands. I was going to write another complaint but evidently this is some sort of joke to the PA DEP only wasting my time and limited resources. I published two photo albums from the latest visit, one is 11MB in length so give it time to load. I also provided the albums in a zip file for DOWNLOAD in case DEP would like to have their own copy. AC_Fuels_9-5-08, AC_Fuels_9-7-08 & DEP 7-11-08 Received
9-6-08 Attorney General Tom Corbett continues to harass the citizens of Packer Township while running from the inevitable truth. The truth is that Tom can no longer blindly enforce ridiculous laws enacted by the PA DEP while claiming that he is just doing his job according to the law. Sooner or later someone is going to be forced into putting a leash on the PA DEP and hold them accountable for enacting laws that cause bodily harm. The bare minimum would be forcing the PA DEP to explain why they continue to create new laws that require the enforcement of DEP when they are not equipped to meet that challenge. Speaker 9-5-08 no2 & Biosolids should be banned
9-5-08 Carbon and Schuykill are to host a special recycling event,
9-1-08 For years this family has been forced to wait and suffer due to the corrupt investigation conducted by DEP and the Pottsville District Mining Office. Continued damage on top of the original damage caused by years of DEP corruption and McAdoo Sewer Authority silence, mental abuse from watching the slow decay of our home unable to make repairs. Stevie’s Room Damage & Blasting Damage Photo
8-31-08 My reply to a letter to the editor submitted by The United Sportsmen of Pennsylvania encouraging gas drill on PA Game lands, TimesNews 8-31-08.
I am an avid sportsman and live and hunt in Pennsylvania. I purchase a PA hunting license and all the necessary permits each year. I am embarrassed as a PA sportsman to hear you speak of gas drilling with so little disregard to the consequences. I live in McAdoo and have part of the EPA Super fund Site called McAdoo Associates right in my backyard. This area has been raped long enough by predominant businessman often masquerading as knowledgeable and having Dr. attached to their names; I am not impressed. The fact that there are huge fortunes to be made and what they benefit are pointless; “the end does not justify the means”. The horror stories of drilling for oil using Hydraulic Fracturing has surfaced from the use of this technology in Texas and Colorado. Since you signed your letter to the editor as hailing from Texas this now makes you ill-informed and a hypocrite to these dangers. Here are just a few reasons in a long list why the PA Game Commission should not drill for gas.
DEP has gone on record stating that they do not know what to do with the millions of toxic waste water gallons developed from this type of drilling and do not care, “it is not our responsibility “.
Will there be an open record law into what type of chemicals are pumped into the ground during the fracture process?
How much water will be wasted and what are the long term effects on the surrounding communities from a large depletion of the water supply?
How will the toxic vapors be dealt with?
What adverse effects will the water depletion, toxic chemical, waste water and hazardous vapors have on the wildlife that I have come to appreciate and enjoy?
The only good that your letter to the editor accomplished was to inform local sportsman as to the character of your organization, The United Sportsmen of Pennsylvania.
8-31-08This area’s biggest corporate whore, John W. Rich Jr. is in the news again crying about his coal-to-oil plant, Speaker 8-30-08. Naturally Jack feels that the reason Congress showed no interest in his plant is due to some conspiracy theory by the oil companies. Here’s a new flash Rich, nobody wants your plant because it is a pollution machine that only benefits Jack Rich, STOP POLLUTION. Jack also envies China and India for cornering the market on this technology. Of course there is no mention that China and India have left behind a legacy of worldwide pollution due to filthy coal that generations will have to deal with. One thought that would solve all of Jack Rich’s problems, just move to China and spare this area and our lives from anymore of your business nonsense!
8-30-08A friend recently sent this in an Email, City of Hazletonstandardized Math test. While it was meant as a joke it serves as fitting commentary on Mayor Lou of Hazleton. Perhaps he should worry more about the people that trusted him to govern their city and less time worrying about toxic dredge blood money. DOWNLOAD
8-30-08 The My McAdoo Home NEWSPAPER page is fired up and ready for your viewing pleasure. Hopefully it will remain an ongoing permanent record of pollution news and PA DEP corruption. If I have forgotten any relevant new stories please contact me at baddep@ptd.net .
8-28-08 Patti recorded the ATSDR meeting on 8/25/08. The meeting was over an hour long so I divided the recording into four parts. If you were unable to attend and are curious about what was discussed, here’s your chance. The albums will be available for download by visiting our DOWNLOAD page. Remember if the audio is a little scratchy and the photo’s are out of focus; this isn’t Hollywood! The average album is 15MB so depending on your connection speed you may need to go and have a cup of coffee while the album loads onto your computer, be patient.
8-27-08 Packer Township is in the news again with their battle against biosolids, Speaker 8-27-08. For a quick review biosolids are basically human or animal waste (manure). The manure or biosolids can come from people of a large city like Philadelphia or a pig farm all the way from Texas. There are hundreds if not thousands of possible trace chemicals still left behind after processing. The sad part is that neighbors and communities are fighting one another over something that DEP should have outlawed. For every reason DEP feels that biosolids are safe there are two reasons why it should be banned. The entire procedure for issuing a permit to use biosolids is a joke that only the PA DEP could create. Who in their right mind issues a permit to spread biosolids to a farmer or landowner in a remote piece of private property that is usually posted for trespassing? There is no bio hazard warnings posted that would protect children or sportsman from the myriad of potential diseases that might be incubating in this waste. DEP only checks for compliance if they want to not because they have to. The responsibility for compliance lies strictly with the landowner. There is an entire book of laws and procedures that must be followed to the letter in order for biosolids to remain harmless and not breed lethal bacteria. You practically have to be a chemist to understand these procedures and yet DEP entrust Joe Farmer to comply on a remote section of private property? The best part is that fellow neighbors and community leaders are prohibited under DEP laws from trespassing to check personally on compliance. D.A. Tom Corbet should stop wasting the tax payer’s money to fight ridiculous DEP laws and try standing up to DEP. Stop the source of these ridiculous laws and help fight the corruption that has infected an agency that was created to save lives and not corporate dollars.
8-27-08 Edward Passno pointed out in SPEAKOUT that The Morning Call also printed an excellent article about the polycythemia vera cancer cluster, Morningcall 8-26-08
WEB SCAM – While visiting theMorningcallwebsite I ran across an important warning to anyone that uses PayPal to make online purchases, Morningcall 8-27-08
8-24-08 Finally found time to update and publish our LINKS webpage. This page is an ongoing project, check back often for update web links. If I forgot to publish a link to your website contact me at baddep@ptd.net .
8-20-08 The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) will hold a public meeting to discuss the final findings of an investigation of the polycythemia vera (PV) cases inSchuylkill, Luzerne, and Carbon counties. The federal public health agency will also outline areas for future research.
8-19-08 DEP began their investigation into the high Benzene levels found at the McAdoo Associates Blaine Street Site. They have enlisted the services of Aestus, www.aestusllc.com .
My McAdoo Home lead investigator Patti Dreyer interviewed Marcy Stonecipher (Project Geologist). According to Marcy, Aestus will be using Aestus GeoTrax Survey; a tool that is similar to the medical industry’s use of the MRI or CAT scan.
Click onto the PHOTOlink to view a few photos that Patti took of the ongoing project. The workers and overall project appear to be first rate and professional using the latest technology available today. There should be little doubt after the investigation as to the nature and severity of the pollution.
8-18-08 FYI - PADEP will be conducting activities at the McAdoo Blaine Street site this week. EPA 8-18-08 Received Email
8-13-08 To better accommodate the thousands of local residents that are concerned about toxic waste dumping and their polluted water supply we have switched to a high speed cable internet service provider. The new contact address for My McAdoo Home is baddep@ptd.net .
8-10-08"... After reviewing these drawings the only explanation that I can come up with is that there was already a pre-existing road located on the property that lead to this dump location. It is my sincere hope that DEP did not grant a permit to A/C Fuels to dump next to a water supply simply because it was convenient!" DEP 8-10-08 Sent & DEP 6-2-08 Received Email
8-10-08 We just received a brief Email from Hydratwo: "This may be of interest that the President of Evergreen Environmental that has a vested interest in importing NY/NJ toxic dredge to Hazleton strip mines contributed $1,000 to Lou Barletta's campaign. Big surprise there." McClellantoBarletta
Hydra's right in that this is no surprise; what is surprising is that Mayor Lou would whore himself out for only $1,000 bucks. You would think that someone with that much business savvy (Corruption)) would get at least ten times that amount to sell out himself along with an entire community.
8-3-08 We are back after taking a brief in house vacation from the website. There is no new news to report over the coal fly ash contamination from the A/C Fuels fly ash dump. We did receive one communication from Keith B. C. Brady, PG / Chief Surface Mining Section to inform us that it is under investigation, DEP 7-11-08 Received.
The problems that this family has had to endure over the damage to our home from the McAdoo Sewer Authority and the resulting corrupt investigation by DEP are still under investigation by State and Federal authorities. Since once an investigation reaches this level of government there is little information passed down we will continue to hope for the best.
The latest round of letters sent by this family focuses their attention to the Consumer Confidence Report 2007 from the Kline Township Municipal Authority and the high Arsenic levels in our drinking water. If you are unfamiliar with this report than click onto the following links to view our copy and the recent communication with DEP; “Arsenic/Violation-Last year we detected Arsenic at levels that exceeded the Maximum Contaminant Level (MC L). The high Arsenic levels were detected at well #5 and therefore, only customers who live in the Spring Mountain in and McAdoo Heights sections of Kline Township were affected. As we told you in the notification letter in July 2007, we are working with PA DEP and United Water to resolve this situation. Some people who drink water containing arsenic in excess of the MCL over many years could experience skin damage or problems with their circulatory system, and may have an increased risk of getting cancer.”, 2007 Consumer Confidence Report & DEP 8-3-08 Sent
6-19-08 "It is my belief that SMCI George
Kissinger and SMCI Randy Shustack falsified information and destroyed photo
evidence that I submitted to DEP in order to give the illusion that this Coal Fly Ash
dump is a "beneficial use" of this industrial waste. It is also my belief that the
reason that SMCI George Kissinger and SMCI Randy Shustack failed to provide me
with a report on surface water and soil samples is to delay the true severity of this
contamination. Although there is continuing contamination of this wet land, the
true severity after the initial toxic release will never be known because of this
corrupt investigation." Informal review letter 6-18-08 , DEP 5-20-08 Received , Letters Sent 6-18-08 Informal Review, Letters Received 6-18-08 Informal Review Sent
6-6-08 PLEASE BE ADVISED, THE JUNE 9TH HEARING HAS BEEN CANCELLED.
Per Commonwealth Court Docket:
June 4, 2008-- “This matter, scheduled for oral arg. 6/9/08 shall be submitted on briefs without oral arg.”
An update will follow as soon as we have more info to forward.
Thank you for your continued support of East Brunswick Township.
6-6-08 More than 2,200 wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) are located in coastal counties and they discharge about one-third of the nation's municipal effluent. The plants also produce millions of tons of sewage sludge, a toxic byproduct of wastewater treatment. Wastewater treatment plants are modern pollution factories.Orlando 6-5-08 Received
6-4-08 Does the information that you are charging $298.50 include surface water and soil samples from the pollution demonstrated by the countless photographs submitted to your office? Does this $298.50 include the water samples from the sump on this site before it was pumped out? These were the reasons for this request, or are you going to charge me $298.50 for information that I do not need or that I did not request?DEP Request 5310-08-006, DEP Request 5310-08-007, DEP 6-4-08 Sent & DEP 6-4-08 Sent no2
6-4-08After receiving my latest reply from DEP I get the impression that they feel we owe the coal industry some sort of loyalty for providing coal for the war effort during WW II, DEP 6-4-08 Received Email. I would imagine that this is why they as a business are allowed to bend the rules that normally apply to most businesses in the state like fencing in dangerous work sites while they rake in record profits.
DEP sounds more like a Pac of lobbyists hired and paid for by the coal industry rather than state workers hired by our tax dollars. These tax dollars were supposedly used to provide a watchful eye to prevent the coal industry from bending the rules; not squandering our resources using collected taxes that were levied.
While waving the red, white and blue, DEP failed to mention the true image of the coal industry during WWII and before. This was an industry that raked in record profits and was above the law. They abused the child work force; using children to work in the coal breakers for pennies while using a task master to whip them into submission; 14 and 15 hour days were common and did not leave anything left for the family. The work as a miner was dangerous, long and under paid. Wages were scoffed up by the company store. The only reason that you fail to hear much of the negative side of this work force is because they died at an early age from black lung disease and accidents while the owners of the mines retired to live a life of luxury. In short this work force was abused by the coal barons that DEP feels we need to lend a helping hand to. Any debt that this nation had to the coal industry has been paid in full by their abused work force a long time ago.
The tax that provided Pagnotti Enterprise, Inc. with $10,000,000 to upgrade his land and increase that property value should be abolished. The money saved while removing this tax should be passed on to the consumer as a few extra dollars in savings while heating his home or paying his electric bill. This state should force the coal industry to repair these abused lands at their expense and not be allowed to pass this on to the consumer.
Patti’s grandparents immigrated to this country and worked in the mines while living in Coaldale, PA. She is personally familiar with the horror stories associated with this industry; losing an uncle to a mining explosion and a grandfather to black lung who she never got to meet. DEP it’s time to stop the coal propaganda; it’s not even fair to use it for the tourists that visit.
6-2-08 "Providing they sign the easement, the Department will design and construct a reclamation project. When we are finished with the work, the property owner is free to do with the property whatever he wants. The state does not own or take the property we work on." DEP 6-2-08 Sent Email
6-2-08Hi Patti. Sure. Post away. Below is something I wrote yesterday. You can find it athttp://www.riles.org/musings.htm. The Boxer letter is attached, as is a letter Abby Rockefeller, with whom I work, wrote to Sen. Boxer and the EPW committee about the sludge hearing.
6-1-08 THE AUGUSTA CASE: An environmental engineer hired by one of the farmers found that the Augusta wastewater treatment plant was sending out hundreds of truckloads of sludge daily with poly-chlorinated biphenyls, or PCBs, at levels 2,500 times higher than the EPA standard; levels of the toxic heavy metal thallium -- an element once used as rat poison -- 25 times the legal limit; and arsenic at levels twice the government's health standard. National policy brought sludge to Augusta farms, Johns Hopkins' Sludge Study_ Bad Science, Bad Policy, Sewage-Based Fertilizer Safety Doubted
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.
