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Mussels may indicate Delaware River cleaner than thought

Bernick family gives thanks for true &lsquo;hero&rsquo;
John Durkes of Wilkes-Barre, a part-time employee of The Times Leader, recently made a trip to Tampa, Fla., to see his good friend John Bernick. This would be a normal event for anyone to travel to Florida to spend time with a friend, but this was no ordinary trip.
He traveled to Florida to give the gift of life to his friend. He gave his kidney.
Bernick, formerly of Larksville and now a resident of Tampa, had been struggling with a kidney condition for many months with no hope for recovery without a transplant. The men have been friends for nearly 20 years after working together at Mercy Hospital in Wilkes-Barre. When Bernick told Durkes that he had to have a kidney transplant, Durkes was the first to volunteer. Thanks to him, the June 14 operation was a success and the kidney is functioning perfectly. 
 During this long and painful process, the friends grew even closer, as Durkes became a member of the Bernick family. 
Whether describing an athlete or celebrity, we sometimes lose focus of who is a real &ldquo;hero.&rdquo; It is someone who unselfishly dedicates himself or herself for the good of another. There are not too many people who would give you a part of themselves, let alone a living part. 
 The Bernick family has a lot to be thankful for this Thanksgiving holiday, and that gift is named John Durkes.
 
Government spending questioned by reader
The Nov. 19 edition featured a news brief about Gov. Ed Rendell expecting to keep his security detail, which will include his state trooper chauffer, for six months after leaving office. His driving skills are poor, he says, so he&rsquo;ll try to practice during that time. No, Rendell&rsquo;s not joking.
He is known as &ldquo;Fast Eddie&rdquo; for his political acumen, but there is another reason. It is well documented that his trooper-driven limo was clocked exceeding the speed limit on the commonwealth&rsquo;s highways numerous times. Yet he made no apologies for it, as he made no apologizes for eight years of poor governance. 
In case you are wondering why there are deficits in government, this is a prime example. The fact that a former governor is entitled to a security detail for six months at taxpayer expense is a joke. Isn&rsquo;t it? 
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Bernick family gives thanks for true ‘hero’ John Du