‘Common sense’ defies sense this time
To the Times: As election season approaches, we again brace ourselves for local Republican politicians asking for our vote by emphasizing their “common sense” approaches to Delaware County’s challenges and opportunities. Let’s consider some Republican’s so-called “common sense” approaches to the County’s single most controversial and important issue, Sunoco’s troubled Mariner East 2 export pipeline project. This project has already caused so much destruction across the County. Simultaneously it threatens public safety, property values and rights to private property that are embedded in the Constitutions of Pennsylvania and the United States.
Was it “common sense” for the all-Republican School Board to approve an easement to facilitate Sunoco’s construction of hazardous, highly volatile liquids pipelines mere yards from an elementary school?
Was it “common sense” when the all-Republican Middletown Council tried to convince our friends and neighbors that the township has sufficient first responders, equipment and training to protect the children of Glenwood Elementary in case the pipelines leaked?
Was it “common sense” when the all-Republican Middletown Council approved easements across a public park without bothering to obtain a risk assessment of a project that will impact the safety and property values of Delaware County citizens for decades to come? Was it “common sense” for Middletown Council to disregard enormous and sustained public outcry for public safety, while at the same time ignoring the town’s own zoning ordinances?
And, finally how much “common sense” went into the unanimous vote of the all-Republican Middletown Council to sell easements valued at $2.8 million…..for $1.8 million? And with no agreement with Sunoco for more funding that might provide the training, equipment and technology we’ll surely feel we need in the future.
This year, I hope that all voters who care about public safety – Republicans as well as Democrats and Independents – will listen carefully and judge for themselves whether they agree with the politicians who have defended Sunoco’s indefensible project -or whether it is now time for new leadership on our Councils and School Board.