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Council split over reprimands for Griffith, Pedri

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Their view: Good science takes time — even during a pandemic

I ask us all to remember to thank Dr. Henry Smith, the former leader of Defend our Watershed.
				The group stood up for the common people of Luzerne County when freedom to access one of the few places they could cool off from the summer heat or fish at will was threatened.
				Harvey&rsquo;s Creek runs along Route 29, which begins in West Nanticoke and winds up the mountains, through lush forests. Not so many years ago, our longtime access to this fresh water and fun was denied by the purchase of old PG &W land by the newly formed Theta Corp.
				Public pressure and the funds raised by Defend our Watershed made our then county commissioners back their cause and eventually buy back our own watershed from Theta.
				One of the projects Defend our Watershed conducted was a book of scenic pictures by Dr. Smith with poems selected from submissions from local activists and poets. I contributed the poem that I wrote for the organization to use to open their many public presentations about their cause. It was simply called, &ldquo;Defend our Watershed.&rdquo;
				It and all the other contributions can still be obtained online, by searching for its title, &ldquo;Pennsylvania Seasons.&rdquo; Let us all be thankful for our access to Harvey&rsquo;s Creek once again, and remember that you have to stand up to powerful interests who act with disregard of the public good.
				For those of us care, it is time to rejoice and cool off.
				Mario Fiorucci
				Sugar Notch, PA

Your view: Thank Dr. Smith for access to Harvey’s Creek