It begins as a blight. Five to forty acres clear-cut, leveled, and stacked with massive machinery. An adjacent field is scraped bare for storage. The land is transformed from a pastoral scene to an industrial site fed by an unrelenting stream of truck traffic. Then it metastasizes.

A tentacle reaches out to connect with another similar site by plowing a swatch of land for a pipeline 150 feet wide and a mile long. In time, all the fracking pads will be connected to each other like one giant organism. Then more paths are slated to be bulldozed for lateral pipelines to connect to the main collecting pipeline.

Eventually, a network of access roads criss-crossing the land and pipeline pathways snaking through the countryside will total more than a hundred thousand miles. The network will be serviced with compressors and dehydrators to process the gas requiring yet more land to be swept free of anything living.

Then, like camp followers, the ancillary industries will make their appearance together with a throng of workers with out-of-state license plates to feed and tend the tumorous growth.

Think fracking. Think of a malignant growth. It is a cancer so ruinous to health, so devastating to water, air, and land, that it could only proceed because of the corrupting power of money to exempt the fracking industry from a string of federal environmental regulations. To wit:

The National Environmental Policy Act. Requires the government to evaluate environmental impacts. Exempt.

The Clean Air Act. Limits the emissions of toxic air pollutants. Exempt.

The Clean Water Act. Limits discharges in river, lakes, and streams. Exempt.

Safe Drinking Water Act. Guards purity of drinking water. Exempt.

Resource Conservation and Recovery Act. Sets standards for the handling of hazardous wastes. Exempt.

Superfund Act. Establishes governmental response to releases of hazardous substances and holds polluting industries liable for cleanup cost. Exempt.

Emergency Planning and Community Right to Known Act. Requires industries to report storage, release or transfer of toxic substances to the EPA. Exempt.

Think fracking. Think corruption.

The gas companies reassure us that gas wells are vouched safe by steel casing surrounded by several layers of concrete. But one has only to look at the crumbling concrete of bridges and overpasses, and see the exposed rusting rebars to know what time does to concrete and steel.

The lifespan of a well is between 10 years to 30 years. So in 10 years those wells that have not already failed will begin to leak contaminants onto the surface. The concrete linings will begin to deteriorate and the steel casings will start to corrode. Thereafter, more and more wells will go bad until they all fail.

But by that time the gas companies will have long since departed. What then?

Fracking releases only 20 percent of the gas in shale; the rest remains underground. But fracking has made the shale formations thousands of times more permeable. Methane and other gases will bubble up to the surface through these unused wells. Piggybacking with these gases will be radioactive minerals, heavy metals, as well as subterranean water ten times saltier that seawater together with toxic fracking fluid.

The damage and pollution will be irreparable. Water purification facilities are not equipped to filter out these contaminants. Cleanup, to whatever extent is possible, will cost billions. And who will foot the bill? Not the gas companies. They're gone and officially freed from responsibility (the Superfund exemption). It's us, the taxpayers who will pay and pay and pay.

Ishmael enjoyed his bowl of pottage. He was ravenous and soon consumed his meal and was left with nothing. So it is with a few of us who enjoy whatever seasonal gains fracking may provide. But like the pottage that was eaten, the money will be spent and we shall not be so fortunate as to be left with nothing.

Sincerely,

Bob Scroggins

New Milford, PA

President Obama has just announced that he supports gay marriage. This is not a surprise because of legislation that he tried to get passed in Illinois to allow the killing of a baby that had been born alive during an attempted abortion (infanticide). If you accept this sort of life style and hope it will continue to grow then Obama is your best choice for the next presidential election. One thing I can assure you is it will continue to grow under his watch.

Most Americans believe that morality is based on God’s laws. America’s laws were formed on that belief and have served us for over 200 years. If you are among those who feel our country is going in the wrong direction morally, regardless of how clever Obama’s press is, or how much he smears all contenders, or how politically correct he may be, please help us take back our country in the presidential election. It is no longer acceptable for non-believers of this wave of secular moral beliefs to voice our opinion in public without being called homophobic, racist and worse. It is now acceptable to many to punish those who speak out against outright Constitutional religious rights abuse or threats. All Americans have the right to believe as they wish and to practice that belief. It has always been a caveat that their practice of their beliefs must be lawful and not interfere with another’s rights. Our economic problems are only a consequence of our failing to examine the issues, those running for office, and believing the empty promises and distortions of TV political ads. Refusing to take the time to get out and vote allows the loud minority to win. Our warriors are fighting and dying for our country. The least we can do is our part here at home. Freedom is not free!

Sincerely,

Annette Corrigan

Susquehanna County

I've been around long enough to remember the War on Crime and the War on Poverty. These were followed by the War on Drugs. None of these "wars", by the way, resulted in victory. Eleven years ago we embarked on the War on Terror, and I don't expect that "war" to be any more conclusive. The best we can realistically do is limit the damage.

Despite this poor track record, we've been awash in "war" characterization lately, some more absurd than others. Republicans accused President Obama of conducting a War on Religion. Democrats accused Republicans of conducting a War on Women. Also a War on the Middle Class. Hugh Hefner added that the same GOP is waging a War on Sex. Now Rush Limbaugh pretends Obama has started a War on Marriage. Really. (If he himself hadn't been married four times so far, his two cents would be easier to take here.)

Our ready resort to war talk reflects poorly on us. Maybe we're too warlike for our own good and need to be aware of it so we won't do stupid things as a result. (We sure have in the past.) I think it's time to declare a moratorium on the use of "war" in a political context - unless we're declaring war on war itself. (I won't hold my breath.)

Sincerely,

Stephen Van Eck

Rushville, PA

I am a former Democrat that gave up on the Democrats when they refused to let our Senator Robert Casey Jr. speak about pro-life issues at their main convention in 1992.

I was born and raised in Chicago and lived there 45 years. Chicago is a big Democratic town. If you wanted a city job - street dept., lighting dept., fire, police, sanitation, etc., you had to vote Democrat and if you owned property you had to post Democrat signs. When President Carter was running for office, we refused to put his democrat sign on our property. After that I was an independent voter. I did not agree with Mr. Jimmy Carter “giving away” the Panama Canal, supporting “gay rights” and “freeing” the draft dodgers that went to Canada.

Now to Obamacare and the H.H.S. mandate. Mr. Obama is demanding that our religion has no value when it comes to abortion and gay marriage. I certainly will not vote for any Democrat or anyone that has Mr. Obama’s beliefs.

God created Adam and Eve and creatures male and female to procreate. Marriage has always been male and female.

Sincerely,

Bruce Moorehead

Susquehanna, PA

I would like to compare the Susquehanna County Commissioners’ meetings of January 2008, December, 2011 and January 2012.

At the January 9, 2008 Commissioners’ Meeting, the following transpired:

“Motion by Commissioner Allen to terminate Solicitor Raymond Davis effective today and thank him for his service.” Second: Commissioner Warren. Ayes: Unanimous.

It will be noted that at this same meeting- January 9, 2008-the first one of the new board of commissioners- the opportunity for “residents...or for taxpayers...or for both...to comment on matters of concern, official action or deliberation...” and “The names of all citizens who appeared officially and the subject of their testimony,” (Sunshine Law) were permanently eliminated from the minutes of the public commissioners’ meetings. The reason? “This administration decided not to turn meetings into a circus, Giangrieco said.” (Susquehanna County Independent, December 1, 2010) Can one infer that the public are the ‘clowns?’

On January 23, 2008 there was a “Motion by Commissioner Allen to appoint Michael Gathany, as Solicitor effective January 23, 2008.” Second Commissioner Giangrieco. Ayes: Unanimous. Motion carried.”

December 28, 2011-Salary Board Meeting-Commissioners Warren, Giangrieco & Treasurer Benedict present : “Motion by Commissioner Giangrieco to eliminate the County Employee position of Domestic Relations Solicitor effective end of business day, December 31, 2011"Second: Commissioner Warren. Ayes: Unanimous. Motion carried.

With that motion, the county position of Domestic Relations Solicitor was eliminated.

In an agreement that became effective on January 3, 2012, but that was signed on February 8, 2012, a contract was made between Brianna Strope, who would serve as Domestic Relations Section (DRS) Solicitor, and Susquehanna County. Her hourly rate, paid by the county, is $100.00 per hour. She "shall be at all times ...an independent contractor..." Evidently, Ms. Strope was on the job as of January 3, 2012. (Question: Does the position she now fills replace the position that was eliminated on December 28, 2011?) I can find no record in the minutes of the commissioners' meetings or salary board meeting minutes of this contract with Ms. Strope or the new position created by the contract made on February 8. Ms. Strope is an associate in Commissioner Michael Giangrieco's law firm.

January 3, 2012-Commissioners’ Organizational Meeting-Commissioners Warren, Giangrieco, Hall present: “Motion by Commissioner Giangrieco to appoint Commissioner Alan Hall as Chairman.” Second: Commissioner Warren. Ayes: Unanimous. Motion carried.

January 3, 2012, 3:00 p.m. was the absolute deadline to put an ad in the Scranton Times Tribune that would appear in the January 4th edition to announce a “Special Meeting” of the Board of Commissioners on January 6, 2012. This ad would have to be placed in a daily newspaper to satisfy the requirements of the Pennsylvania Sunshine Law in a timely manner.

At 9:00 a.m., on January 6, 2012-Special Salary Board Meeting-Commissioners Hall, Warren and Treasurer Benedict present: “Motion by Commissioner Warren to increase the starting salary of the part-time County Solicitor to $25,000/yr with no benefits.” Second: Treasurer Benedict. Ayes: Unanimous. Motion carried.

January 6, 2012- 9:01 a.m., at the Special Commissioners’ Meeting-Commissioners Hall, Warren present: “Motion to accept, with regret, the resignation of Michael J. Gathany, Solicitor, effective 01/04/2012.” Second: Commissioner Hall. Ayes: Unanimous. Motion carried.

The commissioners raised the salary of the part-time County Solicitor at one meeting at 9:00 a.m. and then accepted his resignation at the next meeting at 9:01!

Continuing with the January 6, 2012 Special Commissioners’ Meeting-

“Motion by Commissioner Warren to appoint Thomas Meagher, Nicholson, to the position of County Solicitor effective immediately.” Second: Commissioner Hall. Ayes: Unanimous. Motion carried.

Did anyone inform the public prior to this motion that Thomas Meagher is also an associate in the law firm of Susquehanna County Commissioner Michael Giangrieco?

Following is the question and answer exchange, transcribed verbatim from a tape-recording, during the ‘public comment’ section of the January 25, 2012 Commissioners’ meeting. You will NOT see this exchange referenced in the official minutes of the meeting because, as of January, 2008, public comment is no longer recorded.

“Press: I have a question for Mr. Giangrieco...At the meeting of the 6th of January you were not present...did you support the hiring of the new solicitor?

Commissioner Giangrieco: I had nothing to do with it. I stayed out of it.

Press: Do you have any opinion now?......”

Since this was not the Public Comment section of the meeting, questioning by the reporter continued later:

“Press: Now my question is do you support that hiring now? Do you have an opinion now?

Commissioner Giangrieco: No, not really...no...

Press: Okay, uh...one question for the board then...what was the pressing business that required his hiring on that Friday rather than waiting for the following week?

Commissioner Warren: We had gotten the resignation from our prior solicitor on the 4th and we needed him to be in place ....

Press: But it’s a part time position. My only question is what was so pressing that you needed to call a special meeting rather than wait till the following week?

Commissioner Warren: There’s paperwork to be looked at...contracts to be reviewed....and to continue the business of the county....

Press: Including over the weekend?....

Commissioner Warren: Things that we gave him to take with him to review ......

Press: Okay, thank you.”

To be continued....

Sincerely,

Edna K. Paskoff

Montrose, PA