Dear Editor,

I am questioning your policy for reporting the truth.Chris Parker reported that the Panther Creek Cogeneration Plant in Hauto is planning to burn rubber in the form of shredded tires, which will be imported from New York State.Her main source of information came from an executive of Panther Creek Co., David Hawk. David Hawk is also president of Nesquehoning Council.Chris reported that a committee was formed by David made up of three Nesquehoning Council members, one who lives across Route 54 and across from the plant.Another is the mayor of Nesquehoning who is an employee of Panther Creek Co.Another invitee was the solicitor of council and also for Panther Valley School District.Another was the fire chief of Nesquehoning who was not present.Four representatives of the Lake Hauto Advisory Citizens Committee also attended. This group was not initially invited.This committee was made up of an engineer, a geologist, a chemist and a physicist.Mr. Hawk stated both this committee and Nesquehoning Council gave approval of this test burning. Not true.Many questions were asked and many were left unanswered.1. When will the burn occur? No answer.2. How will tires be stockpiled? Answer: Open air on property; 9,000 tons will be stockpiled initially. This will significantly increase.3. How long will testing last? Answer: six weeks. However the application to DEP states four months.4. Will you let the public know when you begin so the children in the Panther Valley Elementary School who are two miles downwind can be kept indoors even though the inside air is circulated with the outside air?Chris Parker reported primarily what David Hawk said. David Hawk recused himself from the committee meeting.She did quote Matt Cochran who is the head of the plant, who lives in Audubon, N.J. She also dug into the archives of Times News and quoted Dan Mc Intyre, a former plant manager from 19 years ago, who said, "Rubber burns cleaner than coal."There are very nice homes in this Narrow Valley (Nesquehoning) that can quickly lose value.Chris, Come join us!Or maybe you can convince a cogeneration plant to move to your neighborhood! We are all NIMBYS. Not in my backyard.Irene GentherMember of the Lake Hauto CitizensAdvisory Committee