The fate of the Skinner Landfill, closed since 1990, is in the hands of U.S. District Court in Cincinnati, which is reviewing a consent decree between polluters and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

        The decree specifies how much each polluter must pay for the cleanup of the landfill, which sits on 78 acres off Cincinnati-Dayton Road in West Chester Township, across from Union Elementary School.

        From 1934 to 1990, Skinner was a major disposal site for companies and municipalities.

        Most who dumped there considered the place a godsend because it cost only $5 per truckload to dump waste. Unfortunately, among the 120,000 cubic feet of construction debris and household waste were some toxic chemicals. The EPA investigated after residents complained that streams in the area contained blue and red water.

        The EPA determined that monitoring wells placed near the landfill showed ground water with a high concentration of cancer-causing chemicals, including phenol, acetone, benzene, chlorobenzene, toluene and xylene.

        None of the aquifers near the landfill is used for drinking water. But Scott Hansen, remedial project manager for the EPA, says several of the wells show the contaminated water is within 500 feet of the East Fork of the Mill Creek.

        “The contaminated water is slowly moving toward the Mill Creek; and if it gets to the Mill Creek it could go into the Ohio River,” Mr. Hansen said. “That could be dangerous.”

        Mr. Hansen said the cleanup will start when the court approves the decree.

        “We hope it is around the first of March,” he said.

        Marsha Boyer, manager of the College Hill Postal Service Station, is seeking the longest-married couple in the 45224 ZIP code to commemorate the 2001 Love Stamp.

        Entries may be sent by Feb. 12 to Longest Married Couple Contest, Manager, College Hill Station, 1531 Cedar Ave., Cincinnati, OH 45224-9998.

        Contestants must state name, address and phone number and date of wedding. Contestants may enter the contest while conducting business at the station.

        Winners will receive an enlargement of the new Love Stamp and gift certificates from merchants.

        MILFORD — The Anderson Area newcomers luncheon will be at 11 a.m. Feb. 14 at the Terrace Park Country Club, 5225 Milford Road. Reservations must be prepaid by Feb. 9. Guest speaker will be Lori Holiday, executive director of the Greater Cincinnati Film Commission. For information, call Pam Wickens, membership chairwoman, at 474-7470; Catherine Stange, club president, at 272-2204; or Jean Schwartz, luncheon chairwoman, at 624-7702.

        E. Seleam Holmes, former curator of the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, has joined the staff of the DuSable Museum of African-American History, Inc. in Chicago as director of curatorial services.

        She reports to Antoinette D. Wright, president and chief executive officer of the museum.

        DuSable was established to preserve and interpret the historical experiences and achievements of African-Americans.

       Allen Howard's column runs on Saturdays. Call: 768-8362. Mail: The Cincinnati Enquirer, 312 Elm St., Cincinnati, OH 45202.

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