Looking Back
A look at some of the headlines gracing the pages of the Observer-Reporter and Waynesburg Republican this week in Greene County history:
Township says it tried to obtain answers on well
Wayne Township supervisors have been aware of the CNX Gas Co. brine disposal well at the Blacksville No. 1 Mine Morris Run Shaft since it became operational in 2005.
The supervisors said they have questioned both CNX and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency about the well and once even took water samples themselves from trucks at the site.
“We’ve had concerns about what was going down that hole and whether it was harmful to residents if it would get into their well water,” Supervisor Tim Chapman said.
EPA permitted the well for disposal of wastewater from the company’s coal bed methane wells. The well has not been blamed for the Dunkard Creek fish kill, though the kill has drawn attention to the operations.
In a matter unrelated to the kill, EPA issued an administrative order last month assessing CNX a $157,500 penalty for failing to adequately staff and secure the well site, monitor the well’s cumulative volume and report permit noncompliance.
Supervisor Allen Wells said CNX gave the supervisors a tour of the well site when it first opened and assured them it was safe.
When the number of trucks increased, the supervisors began dealing with CNX on road repairs and again questioned the company about the dumping. CNX agreed to allow the supervisors to test water in trucks at the site after taking a safety course required to enter the mine property.
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W. Greene club sponsors resign over contract talks
NEW FREEPORT – Six West Greene teachers, apparently frustrated with contract negotiations, quit as sponsors of several high school and middle school clubs.
At least one board member expressed his displeasure with the mass resignations at the meeting Thursday.
“I’m very disappointed,” Director Joe Coss said. “I think the teachers are sending the wrong message.”
Teachers have been working without a contract since the old one expired June 30. Myleen McCollum, president of the teachers’ union, West Greene Education Association, said teachers discussed resigning as club sponsors “as a way to move things along,” regarding the contract negotiations that have been ongoing for months.
The teachers volunteered to give up their club sponsorships, and the corresponding small stipends, McCollum said.
District superintendent Thelma Szarell said she was surprised about the resignations because she thought negotiations were proceeding rather well.
“We are working diligently to reach a contract, but in the meantime, we’re going to make sure these clubs continue,” she said. “I’m positive other teachers and volunteers from the community will help out.”
The resigning teachers and the clubs affected are Michelle Tweardy, Family Career Community Leaders of America; Frank Hunter, high school student senate; Kelly Six, middle school student senate; Jennifer Gilbert, National Honor Society; Heather Grice, Spanish club and Jordan Watson, varsity club.
Greene residents eligible for aid
JEFFERSON – The federal government made Greene County’s task of cleaning up and wringing out after Tropical Storm Ivan a bit easier Tuesday evening, after it declared a disaster in the county.
The declaration makes Greene County flood victims eligible for federal individual assistance in the form of grants or loans, said Jeff Marshall, Greene County emergency management director. The county now will seek assistance for municipalities and other government bodies to offset their costs in responding to the flooding on Friday.
President Bush initially approved federal disaster relief for 19 Pennsylvania counties, including Washington and Allegheny, but approved five more on Tuesday. Gov. Edward G. Rendell has requested federal assistance for 47 counties.
Marshall said Tuesday that so far the county has counted “250 plus” homes and businesses that have been affected by the flood. The assessment of damage was used to bolster the county’s request to be declared a federal disaster area.
Four days after water from Ten Mile Creek flooded their homes, residents of Kurtz Mobile Home Park near Jefferson continued to try to salvage what they could of their water-soaked belongings.
Ten residents who live on the creek side of the park along Route 88 just east of Stony Point, had water inside their homes. It was probably enough, residents said, to make the homes beyond repair.
“We’re trying to salvage what we can, but right now, things don’t look too promising,” said Robert Esmond, who had about 13 inches of water in his mobile home.
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W. Greene’s Fortney resigns
ROGERSVILLE – Three months after West Greene School Board suspended the district superintendent, the board accepted his resignation Thursday.
Ron Fortney’s resignation is effective Dec. 1, but he hasn’t actually worked in the district since June, when the board placed him on administrative leave. School officials have kept mum about the reasons surrounding Fortney’s departure, saying it is a personnel issue.
School directors unanimously accepted Fortney’s letter of resignation Thursday, but did not discuss the issue in open session.
Fortney has served as West Greene superintendent for two years. The board searched for nine months after Chuck Rembold left the district before settling on the Mt. Union native.
Fortney assumed the reins under turmoil. Days before Fortney’s first day on the job, the board passed one of the largest tax increases in the history of the school district. Taxes were raised again last year, and the 2004-05 preliminary budget calls for a 2.5-mill jump.
Retired administrator Ken Ganocy has been filling in on a temporary basis in Fortney’s absence.
Controller opposes raises for elected Greene Co. officials
WAYNESBURG – Greene County Controller John Stets voiced opposition to a proposal by the county commissioners to raise county officials’ salaries.
“I’m not saying the officeholders don’t deserve raises, but I think it sends the wrong type of message to taxpayers and county employees at a time when we still have an $800,000 deficit, have coal tax appeals hanging fire, and don’t know what it will cost to resolve the problem of the unfunded secondary pension plan,” Stets said. Not all his fellow officials agree.
Sheriff Remo Bertugli has been fighting for years to persuade the commissioners to increase salary scales.
“I’m ashamed to tell other sheriffs I make only $17,000 a year when those in much smaller eighth-class counties make $22,000 or more,” he said. “Greene County has the lowest-paid sheriff in the state of Pennsylvania.”
The commissioners have scheduled a public meeting to act on increases that would raise salaries about 45 percent.
Officials making $19,000 a year would go to $27,000, while those making $17,000 would be increased to $24,650.
Park lake being drained
The water level of the lake at Ryerson Station State Park was drawn starting last Friday to permit construction of water line supports for the swimming pool under construction in the park.
A ban on fishing is to be imposed immediately, as arrangements ae made to salvage fish in the lake. Restocking will begin after the lake is refilled next January.
Maurice Goddard, secretary of forests and waters, said a seven and one-half foot drawdown is required to construct the water line supports, which will extend 200 feet into the lake bottom.
The work is expected to be completed by Dec. 31, with Jan. 15 being set as the expected refill date.
More than half the water in the 61-acre lake will be drawn, as there is a 15-foot level at the breast of the dam