October 4, 2005
by Rebecca Koleno
Assistant Editor
Excerpt reproduced with permission.

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CLARENCE -- People Protecting Communities heard good news concerning government funding for the proposed landfill and interchange project, now they are waiting to get it in writing.

At the Snow Shoe Township Supervisors' meeting last night, JoAnn Gillette, of PPC, said the organization, which is fighting the landfill and interchange project, heard from Jake Corman, R-34 of Bellefonte, who said the administration will not approve any funding for this project because of strong opposition.

Sen. Corman said while the company has not asked for state funding, he was told there will be no funding in the capital budget for the $8.5 million that was earmarked for rail enhancement or any other funding. He said this was a result of the county and the Centre County Metropolitian Planning Organization finding the plans inconsistent and he did not think the state should fund the project.

Ms. Gillette had a stack of letters she wrote to Gov. Ed Rendell and other elected officials as well as copies of letters elected officials wrote in favor of PPC's stance.

In the PPC letter, the members asked for support in opposing state funding for the Resource Recovery Landfill, which originally was planned to straddle Snow Shoe and Rush townships. Snow Shoe voted down changing its zoning to accommodate the project after hearing protests from residents and residents from surrounding areas. In Rush Township, which has no zoning, the supervisors signed a host agreement.

One of the main issues is whether or not an interchange will be built for the proposed landfill. Representatives from Resource Recovery said last year if there was no interchange there would be no landfill. However, the company is now looking at using local roads for the truck traffic.

Ms. Gillette said in the PPC correspondence, it was written the landfill company may be eligible for state funding in form of Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program and the Transportation Assistance Program.

"Resource Recovery LLC has publicly stated from day one [it] will privately fund the entire project," Ms. Gillette wrote. "This is not the type of economic development we desire in our area. In fact, our Centre County Commissioners and our Centre County Planning Commission recently concluded that this project is inconsistent with the county's land-use plan and plans for future growth."

Ms. Gillette sent the PPC letter to nearly 24 elected and county officials, along with a DVD, "Stop the Landfill," a 22-minute movie showing why the PPC is opposed to the project.

Ms. Gillette also presented copies of letters sent to the Governor's office from elected officials to not approve funding for the project.

"Pennsylvania is the nation's dumping ground, and asking state taxpayers to pony up $8.5 million so the Commonwealth can accept even more out-of-state trash is obscene," wrote state Rep. Camille "Bud" George, D-74 of Houtzdale.

"It would set a terrible precedent if your office began funding projects that were opposed by legislators in the region where the projects are to be implemented," wrote state Rep. Mike Hanna, D-76 of Lock Haven. "We in the center region of the state, particularly is Centre and Clearfield counties have a whole host of other capital projects that are far more important to us that need state assistance to implement."

The Centre Region Council of Governments also opposed the financial support for several reasons including the significant increase of truck traffic, air quality will be diminished and hosting a landfill may adversely affect or run counter to encouraging tourism and economic development in the area.

The Centre County Metropolitan Planning Organization also said it is opposed to state funds being used to support the project, as well as state Rep. Thomas Caltagirone from the 127th district and the Northwest Caucus of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.

Rodney Preslovich, Snow Shoe Township Supervisor, said he is meeting with Jack Shannon, Rush Township Supervisor, today. He said public meetings are sure to follow.

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©2005 People Protecting Communities • last updated Nov 6, 2005
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