We've got mail!

Big meeting Tuesday!

To the editor:

A year and a half ago, a terrible tragedy occurred in our community. The Norfolk Southern train wreck and ensuing environmental damage destroyed one of our region's most precious treasures, the natural resources of the Sinnemahoning Portage Creek and Driftwood Branch.

This past November a historic settlement was reached. Norfolk Southern agreed to pay $7.35 million for the environmental damage. Majority of this funding has been placed in interest-bearing accounts. That interest will be made available on an annual basis to provide a perpetual source of income for habitat, stream improvement, and restoration work for portions of the Sinnemahoning Creek watershed.

Bucktail Watershed Association, along with other local conservation organizations, will play an important role. Money will no longer be a limiting factor for putting projects on the ground. Manpower will be what limits how quickly restoration work proceeds. The association will meet on Tuesday (Jan. 8) at 7 pm in the Cameron County Courthouse to begin discussion so we can be ready to engage volunteers when the money becomes available.

The time has come for local citizens, sportsmen, and camp owners to come together to restore streams that were affected by the chemical spill. This means becoming active and joining the efforts of those who are already conducting these activities.

There is a lot that needs to be accomplished in our local streams - cleaning up the acid mine drainage in Sterling Run; trout habitat projects on Portage Creek; tree plantings along unshaded trout streams and restoration of eroding stream banks, to name a few. Money alone won't put these projects on the ground. What is needed is the involvement of the local community.

Come to the Bucktail Watershed Association meeting on Tuesday night to see how you can become involved.

Jim Zoschg Jr.

Emporium

Separating the holidays

To the editor:

I was pleased to see the Cameron County Chamber of Commerce wait until after Thanksgiving to hold this year's Christmas in the Wilds celebration, and the arrival of Santa Claus.

I was also very pleased to see that the Borough of Emporium held off until after Thanksgiving to turn on the Christmas streetlights.

Despite all the pressure to do otherwise, I am so glad to see that our little town can keep holidays in their proper perspective. It is healthy for our families and community to experience the Thanksgiving holiday first before rushing to Christmas.

Thank you Chamber and Borough for your combined efforts to promote family values in our community.

Rev. Paul Siebert St. Mark Church

Emporium