Hello All:

No. No messing around or funny stuff. Actually, some very serious stuff. Imagine that? Coming from Nuclear'Santa'Lou!

Just so the question gets an answer, the registries were done by me. I have taken the liberty, (I hope you don't mind Scott--or will ban me:), for establishing a seperate identity for each school district location.

You guys know that I have an "interest" in all things contaminated and I am working a program (mentioned previously in another thread) that will be geared toward setting up an email-posting ID to leave and accept info from members of the community in each location. I thought giving them each their own identity was a good way to make the threads and posts, location specific. If this gets organized enough, each screen name/address-I. D. could be given over to whoever would be willing to work that individual district, within the outlined plan.

I've told a bunch of people here of this plan--That there should be no safer place for your kids (except home) than when they're at their school. We all go to great lengths to make sure the doors are safe and secure, in some places detectors have been used, cameras and even "in-house" security are all a part of today's school systems.  Unfortunately, not one district has gone the 'full measure' to make safe, to ensure the safety of the grounds on which these schools sit. Few if any have really shown an interest in the biological health outcome of its students, as none have ever gone beyond simple steps or none at all. Some testing analysis, which is being asked to be relied upon at several schools, comes from potentially conflicted sources--testing companies, government and industrial laboratories. To my knowledge, there has never been any sort of checks or balances implemented into these tests (for communioty satisfaction), and, there has never been one test that has undergone a peer review (a scientific panel of opinion).

Because Niagara County is plagued with waste sites, military sites, contaminated creeks and streams, it is nearly impossible to assure parents of the conditions around or on school grounds. Many schools have undergone numerous (some dozens) of tests with NO definitive answers on situations or for substances including the "PLUTONIUM in the water" question. I think we all know that almost every school in Niagara County has some nearby threat or potential for hazardous materials to come into contact with kids at the schools, or on the way to or from them. (Please no comments about "we're doing all we can..please.") More can--should always be offered and get done. 

I've looked at a considerable amount of the testing data from nearly all of the schools in Niagara County and let me say that the documents currently in existence related to the environment of the schools and human health, is scant to say the most about it. Scant. Too scant yet to offer ANY assurances. More needs to be done and that's the purpose of the new blog identities.

This being said, EVERY school should be in a safe place and the kid's as healthy as can be. I don't know if that's the case right now here in Niagara, the county once beautiful.

As I've explained to some before (here?), every school should have a big framed certificate located just within the front door of every school that dares; Poster sized--all fancy like a stock or bond document, with a red wax seal, red ribbon, and signed by every school board member, every superintendent and stating that the school grounds have been extensively physically (environmental engineering reports) tested, and, that the air and water is safe, pure and as clean as can be offered to growing children. This certificate would tell students, parents and all that enter the building that it is state of the art with regard to safety and health. The certificate would help each student feel confidence instead of confusion, and thereby be able to focus on studies and not the next heavy truck that rolls by the school, who's sick, or worse, dying, or simply that the windows can't be opened for fear of the awful smells being emitted from factory or waste site in one wind direction or the other.

Anyway, now that I've rambled on and on and left out huge parts of this, yes there is a plan...

Health For All Schools

I encourage those with the best interest of the community at heart to please think about this for a minute. I'll be adding to this thread about the evaluation of biological information and as promised, I am getting geared up to make comments and leave some Christmas (Oops-XFestivus) writings all over the roof and down the chimney of Scott's blog here :)

More later and May Peace Prevail,

Nuclear'Santa'Lou

NuclearLou wrote:

---

In the above image (previous post), the top of the arc of cross hatched lines is roughly one mile north of Starpoint Schools. The second map being overlayed here shows where the old Nike site and Frontier Chemical Waste are located in relation to this disease cluster. Smack dead center and toward the top.

Again, this is only the incidence of breast cancer. New builds = New moms...for Pendleton and Wheatfield! From Starpoint to the Niagara River!!

The "quarry/pond" at Beach Ridge and Townline Roads is located in the upper portion of the image. Frontier Chemical Waste was a company that used the quarry pond to dilute contaminants with water before RELEASE INTO Bull Creek. This company had a disturbing history of ignoring environmental laws and the company perviously suspected of having operations at the Pendleton site, was even worse during World War II.

The underground rock strata from Beach Ridge Road leans Northward toward Starpoint Schools and Lake Ontario. This would explain the subsurface/underground travel of contaminants from the Frontier Chemical Waste site North during last year's floods in this community.
-- Edited by NuclearLou at 04:45, 2005-12-06

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Anonymous writes: "Lou, What referenced data do you have for your statement regarding the underground rock strata??"

I have a really good reference book on geology that I found explaining it all in the library. It should be in your's as well--check out the geology card catalog. I know it's there.

Regards, NuclearLou

NuclearLou wrote:

---

Anonymous writes: "Lou, What referenced data do you have for your statement regarding the underground rock strata??" I have a really good reference book on geology that I found explaining it all in the library. It should be in your's as well--check out the geology card catalog. I know it's there. Regards, NuclearLou

---

Amatuer Lou,

I too want to know specific sources where you get information regarding the Rock Strata near Frontier Chemical.  I am not familiar with specifics on the site, but I do know that Bull Creek flows south along the Wheatfield-Pendleton town line and discharges to Tonawanda Creek.

Looking at your statement:  "The underground rock strata from Beach Ridge Road leans Northward toward Starpoint Schools and Lake Ontario. This would explain the subsurface/underground travel of contaminants from the Frontier Chemical Waste site North during last year's floods in this community." 

My first question is where did you get your specific information to make the statements about the underground rock data??? Did you do any borings yourself to investigate the subsurface geology??  If so, where is your report?  If not, please give me specific sources of the data.

My next question is when did we have floods in our community??  What time measured data do you have regarding water elevation levels in Bull Creek or the pond in question??

I have a friend who lives on Beach Ridge Road near this site.  He frequents this board, and I should ask him if he knows of any floods in that area last year.

If you want specific sources you can research regarding the soils and geology in Pendleton to clarify your future responses, please let me know.  I would be more than happy to help.

Your buddy Jim 

so , since you question the sincerity of the school board member you name below and since as the posting of yours that appears below shows ,  you are indeed activly involved with the same school board yourself , along with the esteemed persons listed with you ;      so why not just enlighten your veiwers yourself . ???     since you seem to have a better grasp of the subject .       maybe after the board member in question can see how it is done she may overcome her shyness , or not .            -------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Roy Hart wrote:   as nuclear lou

---

Well, here goes. This will be Roy Hart's first post.  ?

a comment. Mrs. Sue Hughes, a Royalton-Hartland School board member. I thought Hmm? Interestingly, three posts have now been made within minutes by SHughes. One was an overpost of this important schools thread--and her post carried nary a comment about this devestating map. I know,anyone can post any time anywhere they want,  I just thought it odd considering that she is a local school board member and has expressed a previous concern about this very school that was overposted upon.     NOT THAT I CARE MIND YOU what was posted, especially with this one because I find it is very telling about a few things. Not so about much what was posted or responded to but the where and why. Mrs. SHughes also failed to respond to my request for information regarding the testing results from her school. Why is that? I wonder if there has perhaps also been some recent participation at the Niagara Gazette blogsite? If so, it raises some rather disturbing questions. Who knows after this expose'? This is NuclearLou writing in as Roy Hart and I have a legitimate concern with these overpostings and the ignoring of pertinent questions addressed directly, by name, to a school board member. I certainly don't understand this with several schools now involved and literally thousands of children!   I am very disappointed in my once thought of environmental collegue. With deep regret, NL - Re: "Roy Hart"

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Post Info
TOPIC: Health for All Niagara County Schools

NuclearLou



Senior Member


Posts: 450
Date: Tue Oct 25 7:29 AM, 2005
Views: 159


Quote | ReplyHealth for All Niagara County Schools

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If anyone is interested in participating or volunteering for a program to determine the health of our Niagara County School Children, schools and neighborhoods you are encouraged to contact Niagaranet@aol.com.

If you're concerned about the health of your community and schools, this information will help. A Web link will be provided shortly directing you to this program and to a more complete description.

You can have your individual school administrator or PTA organization contact us to discuss this program for your school location or have us contact them! This project involves recognized experts from around the country offering to help right here in Niagara County (complete listing TBA.)

Dr. Rosalie Bertell, Ph.D., G.N.S.H., has offered to be the director of this project and just visited a number of Niagara County locations; including local schools to speak with administrators and parents, and to meet with medical and health  professionals. Additional expertise is being called upon in the form of college and university administrators, professors, student interns, graduate students and retired health professionals.

There will be more posted about this project on Friday when additional information becomes available.

If you have school aged children and are concerned about the environmental health conditions around their school or your neighborhood and would like to find out more, please contact the above email address for a brochure and packet of information about this program.

Best regards,

Louis Ricciuti

Health For All Niagara County Schools Project--Is being coordinated by Dr. Rosalie Bertell, Ph.D., G.N.S.H., and being participated in by local physicians, professionals and residents alike.

-------------------

INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTE OF CONCERN FOR PUBLIC HEALTH

19 October 2005
HEALTH FOR ALL NIAGARA COUNTY SCHOOLS project

Thank you for considering the benefits of a Health For All Niagara County Schools Survey for the children of YOUR School. We are certain that it would provide a valuable tool for your negotiations with local, regional and national government, as well as a long term help to students and faculty.

If a Health For All Survey delivers good news, it is comforting to parents and teachers, and it means that the pollution known to be in the ground is not yet in a bio-available state where it can negatively effect the students and teachers.  It gives you a gift of time in order to develop a strategy for remediation. If the Health For All Survey proves to be negative, then you have convincing evidence that the school has taken positive action and shown the utmost care for the health and well being of students and faculty. It will also provide justification of your concern, and compelling evidence for immediate remediation or relocation of the school.

Health impact cannot be ascertained from engineering studies alone. It has been my experience that even when I had proof of the presence of radium, radon, radioactive lead and polonium in the environment and in the bodies of the children in the neighborhood (through urine analysis), and when I had additional proof of a health effect related to the level of pollution in the child, authorities would still not listen to my concerns. This was in Toronto, and the Public Health Department even refused to give each family a record of their testing on letterhead paper in case of future medical problems of a more serious nature.

Land fills are really a toxic chemical laboratory, and in the environment, with water and sun, the original chemicals will often dissociate and new chemical compounds will form. These new compounds are usually unknown and their toxicology has never been studied. If radioactive chemicals were deposited in the land fill, they too will enter into new compounds with different chemical and physical characteristics than they originally had. Studies of air, soil and surface water is for pre-specified chemicals, hence new compounds will not be detected. In such a situation, it is important to note that unfortunately the children and staff are your best biological monitors of the situation.

Health For All Niagara County Schools is a survey designed to identify the human organ system (respiratory, cardio-vascular, skin, immune, gastro-intestinal, etc) being most stressed by the school environment. This usually shows up clearly in a contrast study between schools. Preventive health measures can be taken immediately to avoid chronic diseases and cancers before they develop, while engineers try to find the culprit (new) chemical.

I hope we will have a chance to work together again in the future.

Sincerely,


Dr. Rosalie Bertell, Ph.D., GNSH,

L.Ricciuti, senior-researcher, J.Gold, assistant-coordinator, International Institute of Concern for Public Health, Ministry of Concern for Public Health, COC, IERO

-- Edited by NuclearLou at 07:49, 2005-10-25

NuclearLou wrote:

---

I'd like to answer your question Mike but it is rather disjointed and I'm afraid I don't understand what you mean exactly.

 

i mean exactly since you must already have the info due to your own involvement detailed in your own post , why wait for anyone else especialy someone you show some thinly veiled  disdain for , just post it your self.     

Hey StarRanger? Is the response post I just left here another example of my being a troll? We thought you were going to be the troll police. What happened?

Where's a cop when you need one?

First responder doesn't understand the question--or why it was asked--but felt compelled to criticize the asking of it, familial relation support unit chimes in--with even lesser understanding--but with a great deal of enthusiasm for that position...and this is what has gone on for nearly a year.

Spin away.

*I am so very glad that this is getting put in writing for the record and for public display. At some point in time this will be a very good thing. To those of you that might have an interest, you may want to keep that information in mind--even anonymously. (Read about Enron and then through the previously fascinating posts contained in this thread :)   Gosh, I wouldn't want that.......lololol!

Dear Mr. James Sacco, NYSDEC and Pendleton Town Planning Board;

Please accept these answers as a part of any record you maintain-officially or otherwise that they may apply to.

Please also feel free to send a copy of this to C. Douglas Whelan, Starpoint Schools Superintendent, as you have previously provided the school with a letter in regard to the incident last winter that sent more than two dozen of the school children to area hospitals.

As I continue to state: There is a very strong likelyhood that these scenarios--should be considered all related; With the local creeks and streams, diversion of groundwater-ways and wetlands on or about school grounds, with waste dumps being present in close proximity and in the neighborhood of the Starpoint Schools both down gradient and up, and that these sites are not being fully examined as to their history or enough consideration paid to the hydrology, geology and topographic landscape, and because of this, I do not feel that the same should be so readily dismissed. To further do so, by all official parties, agencies or persons of responsibility involved, is in complete disregard for children's health and safety and should be considered on the other end of the swale of logic and fair reasoning.

Thank you for the information though about the effluent from the Frontier Chem. Waste Site being pumped directly into the sewers of Wheatfield. I am concerned that this is the common and accepted practice for the Frontier site and others. I do suppose that this is the lesser of the "two evils" since releases use to be made directly into Bull Creek at Pendleton, as you certainly must know was the past practice there.

Mr. Sacco, what are you legally allowed tell us of the Harshaw ALIAS for the Pendleton site--(associated with the Williams and Elia family/corporate entities?)--for both the Frontier at Pendleton and Frontier at Niagara Falls--a known Harshaw Chemical Company and Atomic Weapons Employer (AWE) locations? Why do you feel that the Niagara Falls Harshaw site is being left out of the federal compensation list for nuclear workers--EEOICPA-2000? Why are these sites not being accurately identified? 

Does it bother you to be close to the Pendleton Frontier Chem.Waste Site, especially with it's sketchy (Read-secret) past history and with radiological materials having been found there in the past?

Certainly Jim, with the overlay maps of increased cancer levels; the location of the Beach Ridge Road-Townline Road, Pendleton, NY, past operational site for Frontier (Harshaw) Chem. Waste, your own admission of Bull Creek traveling the exact same course outlined in the cancer overlays, you must have a concern that these facts could somehow all be associated, including the Starpoint School "smells" incident from last December?

If not, after this, I feel that's terribly unfortunate and shortsighted of you.

*********

---------------------------------------

Jim Sacco

Veteran Member

Posts: 90

Date: Wed Dec 7 5:07 PM, 2005

Views: 117 RE: school users ...

QUOTE-

Jim Sacco wrote:  "Lou, What referenced data do you have for your statement regarding the underground rock strata??"

I originally responded--

I have a really good reference book on geology that I found explaining it all in the library. It should be in your's as well--check out the geology card catalog. I know it's there. Regards, NuclearLou

And the Professional response was-

Amatuer Lou, (Thanks again NYSDEC )

I too want to know specific sources where you get information regarding the Rock Strata near Frontier Chemical. I am not familiar with specifics on the site, but I do know that Bull Creek flows south along the Wheatfield-Pendleton town line and discharges to Tonawanda Creek. Looking at your statement: "The underground rock strata from Beach Ridge Road leans Northward toward Starpoint Schools and Lake Ontario. This would explain the subsurface/underground travel of contaminants from the Frontier Chemical Waste site North during last year's floods in this community."

My first question is where did you get your specific information to make the statements about the underground rock data??? Did you do any borings yourself to investigate the subsurface geology?? If so, where is your report? If not, please give me specific sources of the data.

----------------------------------------------------

NUCLEARLOU Writes and responds- I have investigated the soil borings tests of the area that were done prior to the new Starpoint school being built. These borings indicate that there is a Northward tilt to the underground rock strata. These records are on file with the school. South side at front of school is at 2 feet down to rock, rear, or North side of school property is 20+ feet down to bedrock. Sub-surface strata tilts towards Lake Ontario, due to the remnants of the ancient glacial action and remains of the great Wisconsin Glacier, 'Lake Iroquois' and 'Lake Tonanwanda.' Beach Ridge is actually an ancient shorline-dune as are several of our ridges around here. Please go to the library for the exact citations. They really are there--and specifically about our local ridges and geologic origins. All very fascinating and worthy of teaching the children at Starpoint--A wonderful lesson also perhaps in geology and the unseens of not "always judging a landscape by it's cover."

Walk the length of Beach Ridge for yourself Jim from the little restaurant to the big Methodist Church at the Eastern end. Then notice the back yards of the houses on both sides of the road and you will see the ancient ridgeline and tilt. All very fascinating!

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Jim Sacco Jr. Pendleton, NY Writes-

My next question is when did we have floods in our community??

I have a friend who lives on Beach Ridge Road near this site. He frequents this board, and I should ask him if he knows of any floods in that area last year.

Most of these were posted to this forum over past year. Subj: Add to fema poster

Date: 12/30/2004

From: NiagaraNet

Things that make you go GRRRRRR..BLEEP!!

According to a poster I found yesterday (December 28-9, 2004) in a convenience store window in Wheatfield--for official insurance claim purposes--Wheatfield, Pendleton, North Tonawanda (Niagara County) were all designated as Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) DECLARED FLOOD AREAS--from between August 13 through September 16, 2004, because of (hurricane[s] remnant) related rains. (I) Buffalo News interview with Doug. Whelan- The first report of flooding at Starpoint happened on September 9.....the first report of various smells including ammonia happened the week of September 19.....about 10 days later...!!!

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Copyright 2004

The Buffalo News Buffalo News (New York)

September 28, 2004 Tuesday, NIAGARA EDITION SECTION: LOCAL, Pg.B3 LENGTH: 339 words HEADLINE: AMMONIA SMELL 'DISSIPATED,' OFFICIAL SAYS/ BYLINE: Paul Westmoore;

NEWS NIAGARA BUREAU DATELINE: PENDLETON BODY: Starpoint School Superintendent C. Douglas Whelan told several concerned parents Monday that they need not fear for their children's safety because of the ammonia smell that entered three high school mathematics classrooms last week. "I was in the high school Sunday, and the odor had dissipated," he said. His comments came during Monday's School Board meeting after several parents expressed concern. Whelan said only one room -- K-28 -- was shut down Thursday because the district removed the outside brick wall and the windowsills in an attempt to determine the source.....

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Things that make you go Hmmm?

Bull Creek that is... Copyright 2004 The Buffalo News Buffalo News (New York) September 19, 2004 Sunday, NIAGARA EDITION (BEFORE HOSP.INCIDENT!)

SECTION: NIAGARA WEEK, Pg.NC3 LENGTH: 511 words HEADLINE: STARPOINT GETS SOAKED BY HURRICANE FRANCES BYLINE: Paul Westmoore; NEWS NIAGARA BUREAU DATELINE: PENDLETON BODY: When Hurricane Frances blasted Florida about two weeks ago, Starpoint felt the residual effects Sept. 9 as heavy rains leaked into school buildings and flooded parking lots and several student vehicles. While water was getting into the buildings, it was also flooding school district property. "Our parking lots were underwater because Bull Creek couldn't handle the runoff and backed up. We had areas that were under 6 inches of water," Whelan said. "A couple of student cars got water in them because the water rose so fast. The entrance to the Fricano Primary School and the bus loop were under 6 inches of water."

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This most recent New York State Power Authority relicensing report clearly says that creeks can travel 7+ miles backwards. ..

In a message dated 12/30/2004 2:14:10 AM Eastern Standard Time, NiagaraNet writes:

Subj:UPPER NIAGARA RIVER TRIBUTARY BACKWATER STUDY Date:12/30/2004 2:14:10 AM Eastern Standard Time

From:NiagaraNet

To:

Copyright © 2004 New York Power Authority http://niagara.nypa.gov/ALP%20working%20documents/is23bw/HTML/IS23bw.htm

UPPER NIAGARA RIVER TRIBUTARY BACKWATER STUDY DRAFT Niagara Power Project (FERC No. 2216) Prepared for: New York Power Authority Prepared by New York Power Authority Gomez and Sullivan Engineers, P.C. E/PRO Engineering and Environmental Consulting, LLC July 2004 ------------------------------

"Little relief seen for Witmer" Excerpts from a Tonawanda News article by Sean P. O'Neil - March 22, 2004 The last thing Witmer Road residents wanted to see this week was snow. But that's exactly what fell from the sky. They don't mind the snow, but rather what happens when it melts. For the past decade, residents along the North Tonawanda street that borders Wheatfield have complained that flooding is ruining their back yards.

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http://wheatfield.ny.us/departments/HighwayDepartment/

NEWS FROM THE HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT Along with it's normal job duties of maintaining Town of Wheatfield roads. The Highway Department has entered the final phase of the major project known as The Southern Drainage.The project began last year after severe flooding threatened homes in the Kreuger Road area with damage. It consists of nearly 5 miles of ditch digging that includes 2,700 feet of 36" drainage tile in addition to 1,800 feet of 48" tile. Work began in the spring of 2002 in the area east of Witmer Road near River Road and will end in the area west of Ward Road some time this year. The Team consists of eight full time/seasonal employees at peek times but is currently down to five employees.Eventually the water from the Retention Lake known as Willow Lake will empty into the Niagara River eliminating the flooding in that area. Willow Lake is roughly 17 feet in depth and covers about 19 acres.The savings that the Town realized by completing this project on our own is around $300,000.00 along with any savings that the homeowners may have. Ron Wolf Jr. & Jamie Irving Ron Wolf Jr., Paul Eustice & Jeff Rudnick Jamie Irving, Jeff Rudnick & Equipment Operator Frank Wrazin Some of our Town of Wheatfield Employee's setting some of the 1,800' of 48" drainpipe. Pictured here are Highway Superintendent Art Kroening, Job Foremen, John MacSwan and truck driver Jamie Irving.

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Subj: 180 feet under the gorge and NYSPA water flow Date: 12/30/2004 2:28:49 PM Eastern Standard Time From: NiagaraNet

http://www.iaw.com/~falls/environment.html

Depending on demands from the NYPA, water may flow toward the tunnel and treatment plant, or away toward the reservoir. Despite the fact that the drain conduit runs underneath the hazardous waste sites, sediment core samples have never been taken at the reservoir and the amount of contaminated groundwater finding its way through this conduit drain and, ultimately, into the Niagara River remains a mystery. The EPA has detected chemicals in discrete fracture zones such as the `G Zone' 180 feet under NECCO Park. Under Occidental's S-Area site, contaminants have been found even deeper in the `J Zone'. This means that, in the area upstream of the Falls, contaminants are now below the level of the bottom of the river." No one has determined precisely which way these chemicals flow, but they could potentially be crossing under the river into Canada.

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CRESTING OF CREEKS ADD TO FLOOD PROBLEMS Article 1 of 1 found. Published on September 11, 2004 (BEFORE Hosp.school kids)

820 words Harold McNeil - NEWS NORTHTOWNS BUREAU The heavy rains that swept across Western New York on Wednesday may have ended Thursday, but the problems they caused hadn't necessarily receded by Friday.Carole Y. Dyce of Lehn Springs Drive in Amherst can attest to that.The Buffalo Public School teacher awoke Friday to a swollen Ellicott Creek that had spilled over into her back yard and threatened to reach her house. Dyce emptied the contents of her basement as a precaution. By late morning, all that was visible of the 4-foot...

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WIDESPREAD FLOODING CLAIMS LIFE Article 1 of 1 found. Published on September 10, 2004 959 words Bill Michelmore - NEWS STAFF REPORTER

The last blasts from Hurricane Frances blew though the region Thursday morning, killing a toddler, leaving many motorists stranded and flooding basements throughout a wide area. The body of 3-year-old Austin Roberts of Cowlesville was recovered from flooded Cayuga Creek at about 4:50 p.m. Thursday near Three Rod Road in the Town of Alden after an all-day search by police and firefighters. His body was discovered by the Erie County sheriff's helicopter about six miles downstream from...

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Jim Sacco Jr. Pendleton, NY Writes-

"If you want specific sources you can research regarding the soils and geology in Pendleton to clarify your future responses, please let me know." "I would be more than happy to help."

Your buddy Jim

__________________

Jim Sacco Jr. Pendleton, NY

Thanks for the offer Jim, but no thanks anyway. I guess I pretty much have this one covered. Regards, NuclearLou