RESIDENTS TO SAVE THE BOROUGH OF CENTRALIA FACT SHEET #6 - MARCH 1984

    Totally committed to the preservation of our community, we have requested the Federal and State agencies (OSM & DER) to provide funding for and expeditiously implement a method, other than trenching, to insure our communities a safe environment and protection of our properties.  RSBC will pressure our local government to forbid any contemplated trenching within the Borough.  For over a year records prove temperatures in Centralia have remained stable and have been reduced in many areas while fire is moving much slower than expected in the vicinity of Byrnesville, a perfect time to utilize one of the many low cost protective options available. 

    Given the right to remain in our communities we also have the right to be protected. 

    Keeping Route 61 open is an ongoing concern and one shared by businesses throughout the area.  The closing of the Byrnesville road and the continued closing and opening of our main highway causes great anguish to residents who must go miles out of the way to reach their destinations, which in some instances may be only several hundred yards.  The steam and stench eminating from this area are ever present health and safety hazards.  We question the real reason behind the 'do nothing - pack em up and move em out' attitude of the many factions involved in our situation.

    Six years of meeting, studies, surveys, engineering evaluations, borehole analyses, relocation projects, referendums, petitions, mind manipulating tactics, exploitation by every conceivable source and still the root of the problem remains ignored.  Since 1978 nothing has been done to prevent the effects of the mine fire from threatening our communities, a mind boggling blatant violation of our right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.  We cannot help questioning the integrity of government agencies who consistantly ignore these rights and allow this farce to continue. 

    Supplied with updated facts, the danger to our community has been grossly exaggerated.  Relocating residents is not a solution.  Treating the symptoms and ignoring the cause to the tune of millions of dollars spent and contemplated being spent is one more injustice shouldered by the taxpayers of this nation .

Mr. James Buckley, Bloomsburg, a former resident of Centralia and a 1981 relocatee, has informed us he is very eager to move back into the community and wishes to purchase a three bedroom home.  Please contact us is property is available.
 

Principles to live by from the written creeds of John D. Rockefeller Jr.

I BELIEVE in the supreme worth of the individual and in his right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

I BELIEVE that the law was made for man and not man for the law; that government is the servant of the people and not their master.

I BELIEVE that truth and justice are fundamental to enduring social order.

I BELIEVE that love is the greatest things in the worlds; that it alone can overcome hate; that right can and will triumph over might.

The following is an update on the Centralia borehole temperatures recorded and supplied by DER personell.  Additional boreholes have been added to present a thorough picture of conditions in the mine fire affected area.  Borehole map included (below).

Borehole map (Click to enlarge)

                                                                                " W H E R E ' S    T H E    F I R E ? "

    Wouldn't it be ironic if after scores of people were relocated, the fire would consume itself as suggested by the above temperatures?

    In the last seven months there have been only two alarm soundings (at the same residence), the latest attributable to an automobile engine running, for an extended period of time, adjacent to the residence.  This conclusion was made by Paul Hummell DER Investigator and mine inspector.

    For the past seven months gas readings continue to remain stable; further proof of the lessening threat to our community.

    Mr. Al Patrick of Allied Gas Co., Mt. Carmel, reported on March 26, 1984, the temperatures of the natural gas line continue to remain stable.  The readings over the past week have decreased slightly in all testing areas. 

The following are district quotes from interview conducted the week of Mar. 26, 1984.

Bruce Dallas - DER Press Secretary - Harrisburg:

    "The Commonwealth will not abandon the people who remain in Centralia.  The mine fire WILL be addressed and at this point no option has been selected.  The State, honestly, is not trying to frighten people into moving.  Money not used for relocation will be reserved for future mine fire abatement measures and not transferred to other state projects.  It is to be used solely for Centralia."

Raymond Lowrie - Administrator of Eastern Technical Center, Pittsburgh:

    "OSM's role will be working with the state, processing the grant and offering technical advice.  In several weeks 5 or 6 boreholes will be drilled in the Big Mine Run area to make sure fire has not advanced into the Bast mine.

Declarations of intent were gratiously given by the following residents:

Howard Benfield - Commander of Centralia American Legion:

    "We are definitely staying.  As long as there are people, there will be a Legion."

Joseph Stasulli - Owner and Operator of Dee Fashions:

    "I'm satisfied here.  I'm staying as long as I can - until I am forced out."

Mrs. Josephine Bergan - Meyer Street:

    "I'm happy & contented where I am and I am going to stay."

    Officers on the Administrative Boards of both United Methodist and St. Peter and Paul's Russian Orthodox churches stated there is a profound desire to stay and continue to serve the spiritual needs of their congregations; however, the future of both churches depends on the number of parishioneers who will be remaining in Centralia.

    We gratefully acknowledge our many moral and financial supporters for making possible our fact sheets.

Residents to Save the Borough of Centralia