Project Atlas data center would cause environmental harm
At last month’s South Whitehall Township Planning Commission meeting on Project Atlas, residents packed the room to voice serious concerns about the proposed 1.5 million-square-foot hyperscale data center across from Parkland High School. Those concerns deserve to be heard — and heeded.
Of greatest concern is the Little Lehigh Creek watershed, which supplies drinking water to tens of thousands of Lehigh Valley residents and sustains a designated wild trout fishery. Paving over 1.5 million square feet of undeveloped land within this watershed will permanently increase impervious surface, alter stormwater flow, raise runoff temperatures and heighten the risk of pollutant discharge. That damage cannot be undone.
Hyperscale data centers are also among the most energy-intensive land uses that exist, locking in fossil-fuel emissions for decades. Backup diesel generators degrade air quality, and 24-hour cooling systems produce persistent noise that would nearby homes and Parkland students.
The township engineer has already recommended against approval. Residents deserve an independent environmental review — not a rubber stamp. Please urge the Planning Commission to protect the Little Lehigh, our air and our schools. Vote no on Project Atlas.
— Kate Popejoy, Whitehall Township
Record shows Mackenzie isn’t as bipartisan as he claims
Recent opinion pieces by Ryan Mackenzie trumpet his history of “crossing party lines” to get legislation passed. However, when you look at his record of voting during the current Congress, you will find that, according to Congressional Vote Tracker — an independent monitor of congressional voting — Mackenzie voted with the Republican Party 100% of the time on 40 tracked roll-call votes, never crossing over to vote with the Democrats.
Attempting to work with “the other side” means nothing if, when push comes to shove, one always votes along party lines. To expect a change to Mackenzie’s behavior after the upcoming election is foolhardy at best.
— John F. Sise, Bethlehem
Trump-promoted site acknowledges Biden’s win
The president launched America.gov on Sept. 29, so I thought I would try it out. I searched for a couple of government-related items and was impressed with the results.
Then I focused on a historical event. I searched, “Who won the 2020 President Election?” The result was: “Joseph R. Biden Jr. won the 2020 U.S. presidential election.
“Electoral College: Biden 306, Donald J. Trump 232 (270 needed to win)
“Popular vote (FEC official results): Biden about 81.3 million (51.31%)”
So, is this a fake result or a true result? Since America.gov is promoted by the president, the result must be true.
— Robert Cichonski, Upper Macungie Township
Honesty is a community value
What makes a community strong? Good schools, safe neighborhoods and responsible leadership certainly matter. But without honesty, even the strongest communities struggle.
Here in the Lehigh Valley, we depend on trust every day. We expect businesses to treat customers fairly, public officials to keep their promises and neighbors to look out for one another. We also rely on honesty in the small, everyday interactions that rarely make the news but help determine the character of a community.
Yet honesty is often tested when telling the truth becomes uncomfortable. Admitting mistakes is particularly important. Whether at work, at home or in public office, accepting responsibility demonstrates greater character than making excuses or blaming others. Trust takes years to build but can disappear in moments.
As an Ahmadi Muslim, I was taught that honesty is an essential part of faith. Prophet Muhammad was known as Al-Amin, meaning “the trustworthy.” His example reminds me that our values should be reflected in everyday actions, not merely in words. Regardless of our religious beliefs or backgrounds, honesty is something we all owe one another.
A trustworthy community begins with individuals who choose to do the right thing, even when there is no recognition for doing so.
— Farid Ahmad, Easton
Free press is superior to government media
We, as a nation, are facing crucial times in how Donald Trump deals with news agencies and freedom of the press. He banned several networks from entering the White House during news conferences. His reasoning was they are delivering “fake news,” then claimed this is an assault on “the free press.”
That reasoning to me is a play on words. Let it be known that Trump has lied an infinite amount of times to the public, and it is up to the press to counter those lies with the truth.
Then Trump stated on his Truth Social network (another play on words) that these fake news networks are a threat to our national security.
So, why are these crucial times we are facing with Trump? The answer is quite clear. Do we want a president who fights for democracy or do we want a president who, like communist countries, wants the government to run our news agencies?
— Stephen Smith, Bethlehem
Support effort to restore Endangered Species Act
The Trump administration has removed habitat destruction from the regulatory definition of harm under the Endangered Species Act. Since 1973, the ESA has helped 99% of all protected plants and animals avoid extinction, saving an estimated 291 species. These include the bald eagle, grizzly bear and the humpback whale. Yet wildlife survival is still a major issue.
Habitat loss is a major reason for a decline in the bird population. The total bird population in North America is down by 2.9 billion and current government actions threaten to accelerate the loss. U.S. Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick is leading bipartisan legislation titled the Safeguarding Endangered Species Act. If passed, it would nullify the administration’s recent rule to weaken it. Contact your representative in Congress to support House Bill 9901. Many endangered species are calling on us to take action.
— Ann Lee, Whitehall Township
Election letters
Letters to the editor about candidates and issues in the Nov. 3 general election must be received by 10 a.m. Oct. 22. Election-related letters will not be published after Oct. 29.
The Morning Call publishes letters from readers online and in print several times a week. Submit a letter to the editor at letters@mcall.com. The views expressed in this piece are those of its individual author(s), and should not be interpreted as reflecting the views of this publication.