Another rough week for pipeline backers

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.

DART: To Sunoco Logistics. Again. Not a good week for the folks building the Mariner East 2 pipeline. After having problems with some residents’ wells out in Chester County, they’ve had another leak of bentonite into Chester Creek. A month ago it happened in Brookhaven. Now it’s happening in Middletown. Everyone safe that bentonite is non-toxic and that the spills are no big deal. But Sunoco needs to be able to assure residents they can avoid these problems during construction. To say nothing of residents’ concerns about once the pipeline is up and running.

LAUREL: To state Rep. Chris Quinn, R-168, of Edgmont, state Rep. Leanne Krueger-Braneky and state Sen. Andy Dinniman, D-19, of Chester County. All are asking for a moratorium on pipeline construction in both counties until Sunoco can reassure that they can avoid these kinds of pitfalls.

LAUREL: To the economic upside of this project. It is undeniable. There are hundreds of jobs and a huge economic boost for the region in play here. But none of that will matter if Sunoco can’t reassure those who have to live with this thing in their backyard that there will not be problems.

LAUREL: To the Eleutheriou family. For nearly seven decades, they have supplied an absolute Delco delight. John’s Doggie House, which started in Chester, is the cream of the crop when it comes to hot dogs. They don’t call him the “Boss With the Sauce” for nothing.

DART: Unfortunately, John’s Doggie Shop is coming to the end of the line. The family’s last stand, on Route 322 in Upper Chichester, will close its doors for the last time. Another Delco icon gone.

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 Chris Dorman. The Folcroft officer was back in uniform and in the courtroom Thursday as the man who shot him seven times was sentenced to 33-100 years behind bars. They don’t call the guy ‘Delco Legend’ for nothing.

DART: To Donte Island. Why would he consider for a second firing a gun at not one but two police officers? In court Thursday, he said he was having a bad day. He’s likely going to have a lot of bad days in prison.

DART: To the state Legislature. Yep, another week in the books and still no word on how they plan to fund that new state budget. They’re still $2 billion short. And they don’t seem in any rush to find a solution. In other words, business as usual in Harrisburg.

LAUREL: To Chester Water Authority. We learned this week that Aqua America, the conglomerate that had the company in its sights a few months ago, is back. For now Chester Water Authority says it continues to mull its options. At their board meeting Thursday company execs heard from some members of the public who fear big-time rate hikes should Aqua buy the company.

LAUREL: To the Gunlefinger family of Ridley Park. They have taken up the challenge of One Kind Act a Month in a mission to feed the homeless population of Center City Philadelphia. Well done. LAUREL: To Julia Craskey of Broomall. She is spearheading a backpack party for her 12th birthday. All the backpacks she receives for her birthday will be donated to CityTeam Ministries. What a great idea!

DART: To the latest twist on the heroin scourge. Adding fentanyl makes heroin an even deadlier concoction. Some first responders are even requiring treatment after coming into contact with the drug. Just a few drops of this stuff can cause a problem. A Darby Borough man has been charged as a major player in fentanyl sales on the Dark Web.

LAUREL: To SEPTA for the disaster drill they carried out Sunday morning at the Media Train Station. First responders and SEPTA staff got hands-on training in responding to a mass casualty incident involving a train and a truck. Let’s hope they never have to put it to actual use.

LAUREL: To Morton Borough. The town long has played second fiddle to its neighbor when it comes to the Springfield School District. Now Morton wants its name included in the school district title. Seems only fair to us.

LAUREL: To Dr. Rosalie Mirenda. She may be gone after retiring as president of Neumann University, but she’s not going away. The school’s board of trustees this week granted her president emeritus status. Bravo!

LAUREL: To Dr. Chris Domes. He took over in the president’s chair at Neumann Monday. Welcome aboard. Those are some very big shoes to fill.

DART: To the almost unfathomable horror of what played out in Bucks County last week. Four young lives lost. Four families ripped apart. And for what? It’s the second time in a matter of weeks we’ve been left shaking our heads at the loss of life in what can only be called senseless, horrific acts of violence. First Bianca Roberson was snatched away in a road-rage incident. Now four young men in Bucks County. We’re still just shaking our heads. DART: To parents who insist on bringing their kids in tow when they get in trouble. We recently noted two instances of fathers getting in trouble with the law, all while they had their two children along in the back seat of the car.

LAUREL: To the theater production at the New Life Ministry in Chester. It’s providing a great summer outlet for city kids. Youth Pastor Joy Scott said one of the crucial elements of the productions is teaching young people how to work through tough times.

DART: To the ongoing war of words between the public schools – those that draw from specified geographic boundaries – and the privates, those that basically can draw the cream of the crop from wherever they please. It’s an argument that has been swirling around Pa. high school sports for decades. Don’t look for things to change anytime soon.

LAUREL: To Nick Williams, Daniel Nava and some of the other new faces on the Phillies. They seem to have breathed some life into this moribund bunch. Maybe the second half will continue to show some promise of better things to come. LAUREL: OK, fans, altogether now: E-A-G-L-E-S! Yep, training camp starts summer. Which means all other sports talk in the city stops. Go Birds!