BTW Easton......

Assuming that all the facts are known, and with the rascals in charge in Forks Township one can ever be 100% sure, it is a very wise idea to seek Easton’s input regarding the KMRD LP (Kings Mill) proposal.

We do find it somewhat curious that for this zoning challenge Easton is being called on to add their input regarding the traffic impact of this monstrous project, which we oppose for the record by the way. Why didn’t the township seek Easton’s opinion regarding the Weis proposal for Sullivan Trail and Uhler Road?

If a Big Box Grocery Store is built at Sullivan and Uhler does anyone really believe that the 100x or 10,000% forecasted traffic increase wouldn’t affect Easton, especially College Hill?

Please check out Edward Sieger’s (Express-Times) article.

More Tower Talk

In preparing to battle the tMobile tower application, we understand that Supervisor C. David Howell and his minions are interjecting some new arguments into this proposal, including-

• A supposed concern over possible emissions and radiation to those who use the park.
• The possible devaluation of the former Laneco/Giant facility.
• A scare tactic geared towards township employees about this cell site.

If those who do not want tMobile to erect this cell tower at this location really believe that, these are legitimate issues, how come-

1. Schools and churches all across America are permitting cell sites at their locations.
2. The former Laneco/Giant facility has sat vacant for years. Are we really supposed to believe that a cell site nearby will reduce the chances of this site being redeveloped?
3. If township employees are to be concerned over this cell antenna and transmitter, we wonder how they feel about the 2-way radio transmitters and antennas located on township property.
4. If Mr. Howell and his underlings are so concerned with emissions, why has the Board of Supervisors allowed residential homes to be constructed under huge electric towers? Statistically these offer far more potentially harmful EMF radiation levels than a cell site.
5. To our knowledge no one has ever objected to the radio station (WODE) towers and transmitters on Paxinosa Road West. Also we are unaware of any health related diseases or issues from this emission point and it has been there a LONG time!
6. There are other cell tower sites in the township. Some are near business and residences. Here too we are unaware of any diseases or health problems created by these facilities.

In the end, this is all about cosmetics. Every other argument being pitched by Supervisor C. David Howell and his subjects are just efforts to block this proposal. We wonder if they ever read this report from the American Caner Society. Bottom line from the report, “For these reasons, cell phone antennas or towers are unlikely to cause cancer.”

Laneco/Giant eyesore

Though Express-Times Reporter Courtney Lomax's writing once again presents a one-sided and limited view of a given situation, nonetheless, her article concerning the state of the vacant former Laneco/Giant building does bring a important issue to light.

It is easy to fault Giant over this situation, but it is somewhat disingenuous of the Forks Board of Supervisors (BoS) and the Township's Solicitor to lay the entire blame at the feet of Giant. Consider this-

1. Why did the BoS approve the new Giant without finding out their intentions and potential limitations of their old store?
2. While Giant did not exactly do the neighborly thing with all of these supposed deed restrictions and we deplore what they have done, it is their property and it is their right. Sadly it is a shrewd business move to keep would-be competitors out and businesses do this all the time.
   
3. Prior to building the Taj Mahal, err, new Municipal Building, how come the BoS did not listen to the residents who strongly suggested using this building for the new Municipal Building? It had been recently rehabbed, offered GREAT frontage to Sullivan Trail, it is adjacent to the township Park, great parking, and the facility is ADA compliant. Instead, a big chunk of our approximate $10 million (now, was around 12 million then) of debt is due to our showplace municipal building that also contain those really expensive tables.
4. Why isn't the BoS actively trying to assist CB Richard Ellis to lease or sell the property by courting a business like a bookstore, a high-end coffee shop, a computer/office supply/electronics store, a restaurant, or a smaller (i.e. Holiday Inn Express) hotel?

Though Giant is wrong, it is time for the BoS to stop blaming everyone else for this empty blight in Forks Township and get much more involved in the revitalization of this property.

Two Posts Pulled Final Update

With regard to our earlier “two posts pulled” posting, this matter has been resolved.

On Wednesday, May 30, 2007, the Defendant, Mel Baker of 3120 North Delaware Drive, Easton, PA, 18040, plead guilty to the charge of Harassment. The specific legal section is 2709, subsection (a)(3). Magistrate Litzenberger (District Court 03-2-09) fined Mr. Baker the maximum amount, plus court fees. Additionally Mr. Baker was instructed to avoid any contact with the Residents Who Care (RWC) member involved and his family. The Docket Number for this case is NT-0000101-07 and the Forks Township Police Department Investigation Report number is 20070319M6273(48), Reference Number 0922-07.

By the way, when we refer to “DB” in any of our posts, this refers to the “Dilbert Bunch” (Copyright 1977), which was written by Scott Adams and published by Andrews McMeel Publishing.