It's becoming clear that the public is being mislead by not only the Wildlands Conservancy, but also by their own Commissioners. In Thursday's editorial, Chris Kocher, Executive Director of the Wildlands stated that the master-plan for the park has the dam removed. What he and the Commissioners fail to acknowledge is that this master-plan was created in conjunction with the Wildlands. So, currently the Wildlands and Commissioners are justifying removing the dam, based on a master plan inputed by the Wildlands. In the dog and pony show called government, they would retort that there was public input to the plan. At last night's presentation, they distributed a public questionnaire, hoping once again to actually use the objectors present, as public input to justify their agenda. I left in protest. If all this isn't disingenuous enough, the dam removal director, Abigail Pattishall, told me last night that Koch's editorial was misinformation.
Both the Commissioners and the Wildlands are ignoring the DEP report that states that overall, the dam is in good condition. The Wildlands' hired engineer tried to dismiss that report, by saying that their study is much more thorough. Although the water is only several inches deep, they actually brought in a scuba diver. The dam officially stands or falls by degree of the DEP, which has no problem with it. The problem is the agenda of the Wildlands, and the complicity of the Commissioners.
I say it is time to take some sort of legal action. The Commissioners are flouting the stated and signed will of the people of South Whitehall, who overwhelmingly have made crystal clear the dam should stay. What do we need to do?
ReplyDeleteUse the previous Jordan Creek Watershed studies by the Wildlands Conservancy for DCNR grant funding to contradict their reason to remove the dam. All throughout the studies they stated that the dam was to be preserved increasing the chances of grant funding. Now they want to take it down- BS. Also, why are they not taking down Kerns Mill dam which will allow more water over the Wehrs Mill dam. Both dams work in tandem. See what kind of ruckus will be made if this dam is removed as well in N. Whitehall Mike Siegel
ReplyDeleteThe Wildlands Conservancy MUST be stopped by any means. They have ruined Allentown's parks and now are destroying other area parks, removing dams, all to fill their pockets with grant money. There must be a way to stop Abigail and her army of money grabbing fiends. It is clear to me that by the time the public finds out what their next destructive plans are it is too late and a decision has already been made regardless of what people say or do to stop it. The people that believe their missions are blindly being misled by them. They should not be allowed to even use the name Wildlands Conservancy. Please, there has to be some way to stop the destruction of public parks, dams, and waterways that they are so obviously set on continuing as long as they keep getting grant money to line their greedy pockets. This dam must stay and the destruction that they have already done must be restored somehow.
ReplyDeletetaz@10:26, the riparian buffers have certainly depreciated the park experience in allentown. in south whitehall, they say they want to improve access to the creek and plant buffers, which of course is a contradiction. the current study is costing $200,000 in taxpayer funded grants, a true crime. they are allowed to keep a percentage for administrative fee, i.e. their salaries. it's very disappointing how the south whitehall commissioners are enabling this farce.
ReplyDeleteMM,
ReplyDeleteSeein as I still havn't caught a fish since this entity has started this destruction of local waterways¿ There is yet another advertisemental weekend upon us with local news being a hinderence to justice¿
redd
patent pending
there was atleast 2 public advertised meetings and an open house on the master parks plan, the last meeting was November 4th 2013... 7-830PM shame on the community for not showing up to care about their parks
ReplyDeletecharlie@8:34, i.m.o. the master plan is horrible. in addition to recommending that the dam be removed, they recommend a 75ft. riparian buffer, which would totally separate park goers from the jordan creek. they also recommend a destination playground. south whitehall would be much better off respecting and maintaining the beautiful park they have now, which is used and appreciated by many. why public officials feel the need to buy into all these new plans and studies is beyond me. what a waste of taxpayer dollars.
ReplyDeleteWho wants to file the first injunction?
ReplyDeleteI am ready.