Background
DeKok, David was born on July 17, 1953 in Holland, Michigan, United States. Son of Paul W. and Olga (Kilian) DeK.
( How a modern-day mine disaster has turned a Pennsylvani...)
How a modern-day mine disaster has turned a Pennsylvania community into a ghost town * For much of its history, Centralia, Pennsylvania, had a population of around 2,000. By 1981, this had dwindled to just over 1,000―not unusual for a onetime mining town. But as of 2007, Centralia had the unwelcome distinction of being the state’s tiniest municipality, with a population of nine. The reason: an underground fire that began in 1962 has decimated the town with smoke and toxic gases, and has since made history. Fire Underground is the completely updated classic account of the fire that has been raging under Centralia for decades. David DeKok tells the story of how the fire actually began and how government officials failed to take effective action. By 1981 the fire was spewing deadly gases into homes. A twelve-year-old boy dropped into a steaming hole as a congressman toured nearby. DeKok describes how the people of Centralia banded together to finally win relocation funds―and he reveals what has happened to the few remaining residents as the fiftieth anniversary of the fire’s beginning nears.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0762754273/?tag=2022091-20
(Award-winning journalist David DeKok tells, for the first...)
Award-winning journalist David DeKok tells, for the first time, how the Centralia mine fire really started in 1962. He shows how local, state and federal government officials failed to take effective action, allowing the fire to move underneath the small town of Centralia, Pennsylvania. By early 1981, the fire was sending deadly gases into homes, forcing the federal government to install gas alarms. A 12-year-old boy dropped into a steaming hole in the ground wrenched open by the fire's heat on Valentine's Day as the region's congressman toured nearby. DeKok tells how the people of Centralia banded together to demand help from the government, finally winning money to relocate much of the town.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0595092705/?tag=2022091-20
DeKok, David was born on July 17, 1953 in Holland, Michigan, United States. Son of Paul W. and Olga (Kilian) DeK.
Bachelor, Hope College, Holland, 1975. Graduate in Documentary Filmmaking, George Washington University, 2009.
Reporter The News-Item, Shamokin, Pennsylvania, 1975-1987, The Patriot-News, Harrisburg, 1987—2008, Blogger, By the River, 2006—2010. Writer & filmmaker, since 2008. Consultant (television film) Centralia Fire, Public Broadcasting Service, 1982-1983, The Town That Was, 2007.
Guest lecturer Bucknell University, Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, 1988-1997.
( How a modern-day mine disaster has turned a Pennsylvani...)
(Award-winning journalist David DeKok tells, for the first...)
Delaware Michigan Democratic Convention, 1972. Member Investigative Reporters and Editors, National Press Club (Freedom ofthe Press award 1995), Society Professional Journalists (president central Pennsylvania chapter 1989-1991, Spotlight award 1995), Newspaper Guild.
Married Lisa W. Brittingham, October 1, 1988. Children: Elizabeth B., Lydia B.