LERTA

Speaking by Zoom, he argued the abatement scheme raises constitutional concerns, contending that delegated taxing-abatement authority operates through the state and implicating Tenth Amendment powers reserved to the people.

Leaned toward Reading & Northern but flagged a 2024 state Supreme Court eminent domain ruling against the company.

Asked that every LERTA applicant address traffic and safety impacts on volunteer fire and emergency services.

Commented on the LERTA ordinance during non-agenda comment, after also addressing the railroad holdings sale.

She asked that every LERTA applicant's safety impacts — traffic, construction effects, and strain on volunteer fire and emergency services — be carefully weighed, and applauded council for the ordinance.

Criticized council for not announcing public emails as bylaws require, called for a LERTA moratorium, and questioned whether the Hazleton drop box benefits enough voters.

Warned that approving LERTA supports data center pollution in Salem Township, citing diesel, sewage and PFOS contamination and alleged Sunshine Act violations at township meetings.

Commended council for the LERTA ordinance but said the language lacks teeth: developer presentations should be mandatory, analyses should be third-party, and 'deteriorated land' definitions need tightening.

Thanked council for tackling LERTA and submitted written recommendations to strengthen the ordinance.

Applauded council's LERTA guardrails and asked that applicant public presentations be mandatory and that safety and municipal impacts be prioritized.

Agreed with a LERTA moratorium and blasted a developer who clear-cut a mountainside near Route 81 after getting a LERTA with no limits on what he could build.

Challenged Councilman Lombardo's 'all development is good development' stance, noting he now warns Lackawanna County about a data center while having supported incentives here.

In round two, called for the chair's recall over the drop box agenda item, urged mandatory LERTA public hearings and report-failure penalties, and suggested county-provided postage for mail ballots.

Thanked Harry Haas for his LERTA skepticism and congratulated Democratic council members who fought for the petition-related ordinance.

Called for a LERTA moratorium, said homeowners are losing homes while corporations get tax breaks, and questioned whether the Hazleton drop box benefits southern county voters.

Warned that approving LERTA enables data center pollution in Salem Township, citing NDAs, diesel and water usage, and locked-door meetings.

Supported the ordinance process but said the language lacks teeth — she wants mandatory developer presentations, neutral third-party analysis, and tighter 'deteriorated land' definitions.

Thanked council for tackling LERTA and submitted written enhancement recommendations for the work session.

Applauded the guardrails and accountability in the ordinance and asked that safety impacts and mandatory public presentations be prioritized.

Backed a LERTA moratorium and criticized a cleared mountainside development near the Cross Valley Expressway, urging environmental stipulations in abatements.

Challenged Councilman Lombardo's past 'all development is good development' stance versus his current warnings about a Lackawanna County data center.

Again called for recalling the chair over the drop box item, proposed mandatory public hearings on LERTAs and automatic abatement removal for missed reports, and suggested prepaid postage for mail ballots.

Marked the Lattimer Massacre anniversary and finished her LERTA critique, saying the county is becoming a 'sacrifice zone' for industrial development.