Pocono News Section

Many Locals Counting on Sewer Referendum

Many Locals Counting on Sewer Referendum - Monday, November 3, 2008 at 4:50PM EST

Reported by: Mike Trim
Monday, Nov 3, 2008 @ 04:50pm EST
NANTICOKE, LUZERNE COUNTY- There's something on the ballot Tuesday not dealing with candidates. It's an important referendum, asking you to give the state permission to borrow 400 million dollars. It would be used to fix water and sewer systems statewide. One place it could immediately help is Nanticoke.

Annette Bonk will tell you, Nanticoke's sewer system is a problem. Bonk says, "It's been terrible. Yes, it's been bad."

About a year ago, sewer water seeped up through the streets, into her bar, Bonks Bar and Grille. "We had a lot of problems. It was coming out down there. I just put a new rug in the bar last year, and it's ruined. Because it was all on the street down there," Bonk says.

But the water and sewer referendum on Tuesday's ballot could help people like Bonk. The problem in Nanticoke is that beneath these streets the storm water mixes with sewer water.

That's a problem that's going to take millions of dollars to fix. The referendum would allow the state to borrow 400 million dollars.

State representative John Yudichak hopes first time voters notice and vote yes. "A lot of them are going to be first time voters, never voted for a referendum question. Maybe confused about the question or not sure about the issue. I want to encourage them to vote yes on 400 million dollars that's going to create jobs in Pennsylvania and help communities like Nanticoke," Yudichak.

And from what people living here say, it's help badly needed. The referendum would help up to 3,500 local water and sewer systems in the state.

It's also geared to stop water pollution.