Sunoco drilled by Pa. Environmental Board
A look at the week that was, the issues and people who made headlines, and a few darts and laurels for those who deserve them.
LAUREL: To the state Environmental Hearing Board. After reviewing legal filings that indicated more than 60 different leaks connected to the construction of Sunoco Pipeline’s Mariner East 2 project, they halted all horizontal directional drilling on the project across the state. A full hearing on the complaints will now be held Aug. 7.
LAUREL: That ruling came less than 24 hours after a state administrative law judge halted construction in West Goshen, siding with the township in a dispute over siting of a valve station on the line. That hearing also now will go before the full state Public Utility Commission.
LAUREL: To environmental groups such as the Clean Air Council, Mountain Watershed Association Inc. and the Delaware River keeper Network. They have worked non-stop holding Sunoco’s feet to the fire over this project. Now they’re starting to get results in court.
LAUREL: To the clear economic upside of this project. Yes, there are hundreds of jobs at stake, as well as a big economic shot in the arm for the region. But none of that will mean a thing if residents can’t be assured that work on construction – and operation of the pipeline once it is completed – won’t be done in a safe manner.
LAUREL: To the Middletown Coalition for Community Safety. They were among the very first voices raised against this project. And they have spread the word to many neighboring communities that will be affected by the pipeline.
LAUREL: To residents who packed a Middletown Council meeting Monday night to air their concerns about the pipeline. Many seemed unaware the project was going to come through their neighborhood and also were dismayed at the amount of destruction of trees and vegetation in its path.
DART: Just imagine what kind of things will fly under the radar in a world without community newspapers. Yes, have covered this story in exhaustive fashion, often much to the dismay of the folks at Sunoco. We think it’s that important. That is the essential role of a community newspaper.
LAUREL: Remember today is the last day for another legendary Delco foodie place. They will close the doors for the last time at John’s Doggie House, the last of the chain of hot dog stands that started on Seventh Street in Chester. No doubt fans will be
lined up for one last taste of “The Boss With the Sauce.” And with containers to take some of that famous recipe home. LAUREL: Looking for an upside to this story? John’s Doggie Shop will make way for the long-awaited – and much-needed – expansion of Route 322. Still, the road just won’t “taste” the same.
LAUREL: To Sen. Tom McGarrigle. He’s long been a proponent of a severance tax on Pennsylvania’s natural gas drilling industry. That has not always made him popular with members of his own party. McGarrigle this week finally was able to get a tax - albeit smaller than he would have liked - into the funding package that passed the Senate by a razor-thin 26-24 margin. Kudos also to Sen. Tom Killion, R-9, who also supported the measure.
DART: Get out your wallet. If adopted, the Senate package will cost you as well, with hikes for gas heating and electric bills, as well as phone and cell phone tabs, and expansion of the state sales tax to some online purchases.
DART: To House Speaker Mike Turzai, R-Allegheny. He remains opposed to any talk of new taxes and seems in no hurry to take up the Senate spending package.
DART: To the unending violence in Chester. In a 24-hour span last weekend, the city recorded two fatal shootings and also a stray bullet that flew into a house, injuring an 11-year-old boy.
DART: To word that still one more iconic Delco eatery has suffered a setback. A grease fire this week means the Llanerch Diner in Upper Darby will be closed for a few weeks. It was of course the scene of a famous scene in the Oscar-winning film “The Silver Linings Playbook.”
DART: To Sen. John McCain, for casting a crucial vote to allow debate on the Senate health care reform. McCain flew back from Arizona after being diagnosed with brain cancer to cast his vote.
LAUREL: To Sen. John McCain, for casting another crucial vote and offering a thumb’s down on the Senate GOP’s so-called “skinny” health care reform plan late Thursday night. McCain continues to sound a voice of reason and a return to the bipartisan legislative process. Good luck with that, senator.
LAUREL: To the West Chester Area School District. They are setting up a scholarship in the name of Bianca Roberson, the recent Rustin High School grad who was gunned down in a senseless road rage incident on Route 100 in West Goshen. Seems like a fitting voice for such a vibrant, promising young voice snuffed out so young.
DART: To road rage and other reckless acts while driving. First there was the almost unimaginable act that took the life of Roberson. Then this week we learned of another incident in which a teen driver allegedly tried to run down another group of kids during some kind of altercation in the parking lot of Ridley High School. Now the teen is charged as an adult and faces serious criminal charges. Never a good idea to lose your temper while behind the wheel.
LAUREL: To Wawa. It was another banner week for our Delaware County-bred, home-grown convenience store. The long-awaited store on Baltimore Pike in the east end of Media Borough opened its doors Friday
morning. And the chain recently opened its first two franchises in the Miami area of South Florida. Yes, they are celebrating Hoagiefest in Florida, too.
LAUREL: To Cracker Barrel. The craze continues as Delco impatiently awaits its first Cracker Barrel, on Stewart Avenue in Ridley. In the meantime, the chain is making plans to hire 175 new employees.
DART: To Anthony Scaramucci. This is not a locker room sir. You are now the communications director for the White House. Please refrain from the kind of vulgarity you displayed in the interview with the writer from The New Yorker. Aside from being physically impossible to perform, the actions you described in reference to your perceived enemies is really beneath the dignity of the White House. Although we wonder exactly where that line is these days. Can you imagine what the reaction of the conservatives would have been if this were President Obama’s hand-picked mouthpiece spouting such vile language?
LAUREL: To the green and white. It’s officially football season again, and the Eagles are back at the Nova Care Center in South Philly for training camp.
DART: Is it just us, or was training camp a lot more fun when the team encamped at Lehigh or West Chester University. Anyone else remember when they used to hold camp on the campus of Widener University in Chester?