Illegal Dumpers Trash Historic Plymouth Township Site
By: Mark Hiller
Updated: March 11, 2013
Plymouth Township, Luzerne County -- Piles of garbage clutter a wooded area off Route 11 in Plymouth Township. A chair, children's toys, old clothing and even personal photographs litter the area. This illegal dumping is happening at the site of the Avondale Mine Disaster where the Plymouth Historical Society planned to install a memorial garden. Instead, a mess is what's happened. "It is just heartbreaking. That's all it is," said Gary Ceppa of Nanticoke. He rode his bike Monday on a trail near the site that commemorates the 1869 mine fire tragedy that killed 108 miners and two rescuers. He says it wasn't like this the last time he biked past it. "It was actually clean. There was maybe a little bit of garbage but not much but this is ridiculous. This is outrageous." Amidst the disgusting heap of garbage is some personal information; bills and letters containing names, addresses, even phone numbers.
The owner of Syl's Auto Sales has his business roadside near the area where illegal dumpers trespass. "There's a road up here that goes around and comes out down here and people come out here at night, day, anytime and they throw all junk back there," said Syl Kuchinskas.
Also back there underground are UGI natural gas lines. A company spokesman says UGI will install a lockable, swinging gate by the end of the year to stop vehicle traffic. But until that happens, many expect more of the same. "People don't care," said Mr. Kuchinskas.
