I have worked on landfills in the state of Maine and have nothing good to say about them. In 1978 I was involved with building the 'State of the Art Design' (that is what it was called) landfill in Presque Isle, Maine. It was considered leak free and puncture proof. Approximately five years later a leak was discovered in the puncture proof liner. Yes, it was fixed but how long did it leak?

In 1981(?) I was involved with expanding an existing land fill in Wiscasset, Maine. The stench of the leachite poison was so strong we had to wear and or carry special masks when we were down on the bottom. At the end of one work day I realized I had left my 100' measuring tape on a stump at the bottom. Because the wind was blowing in the right direction I didn't take my mask with me. Upon returning the wind shifted, giving me a dose of the leachite poison up my nose, stealing my breath, dropping me to my knees. The stuff is potent and is not only in all, 'ALL' landfills but seeps into the ground into the pristine drinking waters. In 1982(?) I was involved with closing a landfill southwest of Augusta, Maine. One of the things we had to do was monitor the methane gas that was coming out of the vent pipes. It registered [100%!!!] What about clean air?

Sometime your in Maine traveling Interstate 95, south of Bangor, 5-6 miles, you will see Sawyer landfill on your left. It is opposite Dysarts Truck Stop. (I think it is at the Cold Brook Road Exit) A former co-worker of mine worked for Sawyer Landfill. The following are his words: 'If people knew what was coming in there at night they wouldn't believe it. Tankers from out of state come in after hours. They back up to the edge and when the driver puts on protective gear before he opens the valve on the back of the tanker that tells you that something dangerous must be inside.' When I asked him what it might be he replied: 'I've said enough. I wasn't supposed to have told you that.' What else are they hiding?

Have you ever wondered why landfill proponents almost always want to build their alleged safe dumps near bodies of water? It is so the leachite, a poison created by landfills, can seep into the soil into our pristine underground drinking water. When they use ground up mattresses, tires etc, have you ever wondered if it is laced with a liquid?

Burning burnable garbage is the only way to dispose of it. In 1978 I had a tour of the Boston Edison Plant. Garbage was burned to generate steam that generated electricity. Very little waste was involved resulting in less dependency on oil. Perhaps Irving should haul their waste to Penobscot Energy Recovery Co. In Orrington, Maine.

www.torontofreepress.com/2004/cover100404.htm Read the story 'The deception of Toronto garbage in Michigan', Oct.4, 2004.

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