ACCESS TO THE RIVERWALK

Dear Editor,

We are new to the area and would like to know EXACTLY where we can get on the River Walk with bicycles. Thank You!

Shelia Voorhees Blanchard, PA



Hello Shelia,

Parking is a big issue that I feel has not been addressed well in our communications to the public, but the County thinks that people will find it on their own or by looking at the maps they have put out. I would suggest a few options: 1) Park Downtown in the parking deck between West Third Street and Church Street and walk over a half block to enter the River Walk from the Williamsport side of the Market Street Bridge. 2) Park at Burger King’s HUGE parking lot off Route 220 at the Maynard Street exit in Williamsport and walk over to the river. You can enter the River Walk on the Williamsport side before the Maynard Street Bridge or you can go on across the Bridge, enter on the South Williamsport side, loop around to the Market Street Bridge and then come back along the River to get back to your car. 3) Take the Faxon exit off Route 220 just after passing Downtown Wmspt. and the Market St. Bridge. Take a right turn at Commerce Park Drive, where you will see parking lots. 4) Park at the Montoursville Walmart or Wendy’s off Route 220 and Route 87. Take the bike path up through Loyalsock and into Williamsport for longer rides.

Thad Meckley—Local historian, writer and a member of the Susquehanna River Walk Committee for Lycoming County.





CREOSOTE

I am a mother, a small mother on a big planet with a concern that affects us all. I will try to explain with love and compassion for all who are involved. I haven’t been living along the railroad tracks for most of my life as many of my neighbors have. So I haven’t become accustomed to the smell of creosote when the ties are laid. I haven’t seen the railroad change over the past several decades as many of them have. I am just a newcomer to this neighborhood asking for change. I have been communicating with the railroad company about the use of creosote in their ties. I am certain that they are doing their best to find a solution to this problem I have presented them with. And I wonder whether there are incentives for companies such as this to go green. When they first laid the creosote soaked ties by the railroad tracks adjoining our back yard they weren’t covered, nor were they protected in any way from someone happening upon them. Now, obviously, a thinking adult isn’t going to walk up to something so obviously dangerous and touch it, but what about the animals, and my two year old son, and all the kids that play at the river lot on the other side of the tracks. The smell alone was so awful that we couldn’t be in our back yard or open our windows for at least two months even after the ties were installed. While going out just to mow the lawn, we’d get a headache. I felt like I had a toxic waste dump in my back yard. I haven’t been able to comfortably use my water since that day because after having read that certain chemicals from the creosote leach into the ground and the ground water, we had our water tested. Phenols were found in our water, which are a component of creosote. Nothing could be done, according to the DEP, because phenols come from other sources as well and there was not a high enough level in our water to be concerned about. Nine months later, two weeks ago, the ties were being marked again for replacement. Will I be able to help the railroad company to choose differently? And, ultimately, the utility companies as well? Will my family be able to play in our back yard and at our river lot this summer? I ’m praying. I ’m hoping. And hopefully, I ’m helping. There are viable alternatives to creosote, such as recycled plastic composite ties. These ties are made from recycled plastic bottles, plastic bags and scrapped vehicle tires rather than trees. They require less maintenance and have a longer tie life (estimated 40-50+ years) so they are actually more economical than creosote ties. Several companies are already manufacturing railroad ties using these materials. We do have a choice.

Kai Sorum





STAND UP TO THE ARYAN NATION

On June 19th in Gettysburg, at the old Cyclorama site, called the East Lawn, on Ziegler’s field, there is a scheduled Aryan Nation Rally. There will be a counter peace rally the same day, next to their rally. There will be a guitar player and the plan is sit around, singing labor, freedom and civil rights songs. The rally will be held from 1 to 3 pm at the same time as the Aryan Nation Rally. For more information contact Carly Mayer at: 4civilrights@gmail.com.