Local News

Tamaqua considers ecosystem ordinance

BY SHAWN A. HESSINGER TAMAQUA BUREAU CHIEF shessinger@republicanherald.com 08/02/2006

http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=16996213&BRD=2626&PAG=461&dept_id=532624&rfi=6

TAMAQUA — The borough council discussed an ordinance Tuesday night that would grant individual rights to ecosystems, and possibly secede from state and federal government. A motion to advertise the ordinance, which bans corporations from applying biosolids in the borough, failed to pass as the meeting almost broke into pandemonium. Councilman Micah J. Gursky questioned elements of the ordinance that might prevent the borough from hauling its own sewage waste, as well as the rights for the environment and secession. “Seceding from the Union is a pretty big deal to me. Granting rights to ecosystems is a pretty big deal to me,” he said. A separate issue over possible damages should the borough be sued for violating the rights of corporations was dismissed by Dante Picciano, spokesman for the Army for a Clean Environment. The West Penn environmental group was instrumental in contacting the Community Environmental Legal Defense Fund, which drafted the ordinance. “That’s so speculative, it’s hardly even worth considering,” Picciano told Borough Solicitor Michael S. Greek. When questioned on possible litigation issues by Councilman James J. Knowles, Greek said the ordinance is “designed to be attacked.” Greek recommended the borough first investigate its insurance coverage to protect against a possible civil rights suit. The ordinance would refuse to recognize corporation’s rights to apply biosolids – an industry term for partially treated sewage sludge – under Pennsylvania environmental law. Although Knowles and Gursky insisted they support banning biosolids in the borough, both expressed concerns that they said needed to be addressed before the ordinance was passed. Angry comments from nearly 45 who attended, caused Mayor Christian P. Morrison to summon a police officer to the proceedings. The ordinance was tabled with two dissenting votes from Councilwoman Cathy Miorelli and Councilman Stephen Tertel. Council President John Trudich Jr. tried in vain to bring order to the proceedings and a motion to adjourn failed to pass before a final vote on a minor issue. “People. People. This meeting has not been adjourned. If you have business, please take it outside,” said Morrison standing at the door with a police officer. A motion to adjourn was finally made. Supporters of the ordinance agreed to make minor revisions for future discussion. One hundred residents had attended a meeting last Wednesday to urge the adoption of an ordinance banning biosolids in the borough. Supporters of the material claim it is safe and useful for land reclamation while opponents claim it contains contaminants which threaten human health. The meeting had started contentiously as nearly 60 members of the community turned out to discuss a controversial vote which, two weeks ago, cut benefits for Tamaqua’s downtown manager Linda J. Yulanavage. Morrison had broken his first tie vote as mayor supporting Trudich, Tertel, and Miorelli in cutting the benefits for the downtown manager who is not a borough employee. Local community leaders, including Tamaqua Chamber of Commerce President Joseph Plasko and Tidewood Industrial Development Enterprises Board President Jerome P. Knowles urged the council to reconsider.

©The REPUBLICAN & Herald 2006