What was left out of last week's front page article on this case, is that Ray Kemble of Dimock , Pa. and his lawyers had posted a lawsuit against Cabot couple of months ago because of new contamination of water wells and further contamination of water wells after DEP allowed the fracking of six drilled gas wells in Dimock near the end of 2012.

This was allowed by DEP in the 9 sq. mile moratorium area of Dimock where previously over two dozen water wells got contaminated from gas drilling by Cabot and Company in 2008 and 2009. DEP allowed this per Cabot's request and DEP did not even notify any families within the 2500' radius of these gas wells, which they should have done.

So, Ray Kemble's water well got worse after this new fracking and others called DEP with new or worsening impacts to their water.

Ray Kemble had a non-disclosure, or gag-order with Cabot for his initial contamination of water and took a monetary settlement from Cabot, as did about 19 families at that time. Cabot made families sign gag-orders which prohibited them from discussing their water issues, their settlements and their litigation with the outside world in order to get their monetary settlements from Cabot.

Two families, the Ely's and Hubert's did not take a settlement from Cabot and refused to sign a non-disclosure so they are free to speak.

One family I know of , the Morcums in Dimock are still receiving water for drinking, household and animal use, four and a half years since their complaint of brown water in 2013 after the new Fracking.

Lawyers were presenting a new case of contamination lawsuit in Federal Court.

Cabot likes to be portrayed as the victim  in these instances, while ignoring the harm on our Dimock Residents.

Meanwhile, Cabot has over 500 DEP Violations in our County. Why are they still allowed to operate?  Has anyone ever heard of other companies that can rack up over 500 Violations and still be allowed to operate?

We shall see what the County Court and a possible Jury will decide if and when this case goes to trial.

Sincerely,
Vera Scroggins
Brackney, PA

Across America, and not just in the South, there are Confederate monuments, and they're coming down. This has become a flashpoint for protest, most prominently by neo-Nazis and other racists. The removals play into their paranoid fears that the white race is losing its privileged position in society. Truly superior people would never be so fright-filled. More mild-mannered opponents claim that it's erasing history. But this is the wrong way to look at it.

Erasing history is the last thing I'd support. I think it's important to teach that the Civil War was a tragic occurrence, and that the Confederacy was bad and wrong. But these monuments were intended to honor the leaders of a treasonous effort to dismember America, and for the purpose of maintaining slavery. Some invoke heritage, and ancestral pride, but this is a heritage of shame. We are the only country that honors its traitors, and it was wrong from the start. The statues must go.

And while we're at it, the display of the Confederate flag should not be tolerated. It is a symbol of treason, first and foremost, that got renewed significance as a banner of opposition to Civil Rights. Hey, if you lose your war, you don't get to fly your flag anymore. In contrast, the Swastika flag (that we saw in Charlotte) is illegal in Germany. (Plus there are no monuments to Nazis there.) The Stars & Bars should be illegal here.

I've seen too many Confederate flags being flown right here in Susquehanna County. This is the North. We supported the Union. People died because of what that flag represented. Whoever flies it now is, at the very least, proclaiming their lack of patriotism.

The controversy over Confederate monuments has spilled over onto statues of Christopher Columbus. But I've noticed something about everyone who defends these statues: they're all Italian-American. (They're also the only ones who really care about Columbus Day.) It's clear that what it is, is an Italian-American pride monument, just like Columbus Day is Italian-American Pride Day. If that's all it is, I'd suggest that they replace them with statues of Leonardo DaVinci (a truly great man) and take pride in him. Or, if they want someone connected with America, Enrico Fermi, who helped us win WWII, after Fascism caused him to leave Italy.

However, I take issue with those who blame Columbus for everything that happened to Indians subsequently. Columbus never set foot in continental North America. It's ridiculous to assume that, if not for Columbus, the New World would not have eventually become the permanent knowledge of the Old World. Someone else would have found it. That much said, he's not significant enough and should be replaced by someone who is. Even Joe Pesci would be a better choice.

Sincerely,
Stephen Van Eck
Rushville, PA

There is a beautiful book that helps me not become entangled in this horrid fight going on over Trump. It is called Jesus Calling. Each day, there is a thought for the day on how to become closer to the Lord. Today, Sarah Young, the author, who speaks for Christ in most intimate messages began the day with “living in dependence of me is a glorious adventure.” I am able to not hear the screaming or vicious fighting over our president. I see his accomplishments and cannot but wonder why He is so hated by some Americans. Oh, in their hate some could give me a litany but I know that with enough prayer he has the ability to become one of our greatest. We must pray he is protected, as so many have not been in this vicious battle. Dependence on our God helps us not be pulled into the destruction of our country. Regardless of what he does, he is viciously hated and all I know is that does not come from a loving God.

Sincerely,
Annette Corrigan
Jackson Township