While growing up, we used coal or wood for heating homes. The residue was used during icy weather for traction.

Now we are using salt, which does help melt ice but also kills pine trees planted by residents along property lines. The salt also gets washed into our rivers, which does not seem to be a safe policy.

Another concern I have is that I have noticed the state, townships and boroughs seem to be spraying "pesticides" to kill roadside weeds instead of cutting them down. How safe is this practice?

It seems we have a lot of other environmental issues to be concerned about besides just concentrating on closing coal mines and causing more unemployment.

MARGARET L. GENTILE
Kennedy

First Published: August 24, 2013, 4:00 a.m.