The Herald, Sharon, PA Published Saturday, October 18, 2003

Old dump
allegedly
sickening
family of 5

The Associated Press

A couple are raising concerns that a now-closed dump may be making their family sick, even though environmental officials say their water seems to be safe.

Joe Wiencek of Linesville went before the Conneaut Township supervisors this week to complain that too little is being done to ease his worries about the former dump near his family's home.

Wiencek and his wife, who moved to the home two years ago, say they and their children have suffered aching muscles and joints, vision problems and have been lethargic. They have three children -- 6-year-old Caleb, 4-year-old Corey and 2-year-old Erika -- and Wiencek's wife, Shelby, says Caleb has suffered kidney and liver problems.

Wiencek said he was unaware of Bob Henry's landfill when he moved to his home and he is worried it could be affecting water supplies.

The man and a neighbor, Kent Hawthorne, say a multicolored fluid seeps up through the soil at the old site, which closed in 1976 and is now covered with trees and corn.

The state Department of Environmental Protection, however, has tested the water at Wiencek's home, finding no toxins or substances above federal safety limits. "At this point, we don't see any impact," said DEP spokeswoman Freda Tarbell.

The Wienceks claim they have had their own testing done that shows the water is unsafe.



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