Project Atlas data center would cause environmental harm<\/p>\n
At last month\u2019s 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 \u2014 and heeded.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
The township engineer has already recommended against approval. Residents deserve an independent environmental review \u2014 not a rubber stamp. Please urge the Planning Commission to protect the Little Lehigh, our air and our schools. Vote no on Project Atlas.<\/p>\n
\u2014 Kate Popejoy, Whitehall Township<\/p>\n
Record shows Mackenzie isn\u2019t as bipartisan as he claims<\/p>\n
Recent opinion pieces by Ryan Mackenzie trumpet his history of \u201ccrossing party lines\u201d 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 \u2014 an independent monitor of congressional voting \u2014 Mackenzie voted with the Republican Party 100% of the time on 40 tracked roll-call votes, never crossing over to vote with the Democrats.<\/p>\n
Attempting to work with \u201cthe other side\u201d means nothing if, when push comes to shove, one always votes along party lines. To expect a change to Mackenzie\u2019s behavior after the upcoming election is foolhardy at best.<\/p>\n
\u2014 John F. Sise, Bethlehem<\/p>\n
Trump-promoted site acknowledges Biden\u2019s win<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Then I focused on a historical event. I searched, \u201cWho won the 2020 President Election?\u201d The result was: \u201cJoseph R. Biden Jr. won the 2020 U.S. presidential election.<\/p>\n
\u201cElectoral College: Biden 306, Donald J. Trump 232 (270 needed to win)<\/p>\n
\u201cPopular vote (FEC official results): Biden about 81.3 million (51.31%)\u201d<\/p>\n
So, is this a fake result or a true result? Since America.gov is promoted by the president, the result must be true.<\/p>\n
\u2014 Robert Cichonski, Upper Macungie Township<\/p>\n
Honesty is a community value<\/p>\n
What makes a community strong? Good schools, safe neighborhoods and responsible leadership certainly matter. But without honesty, even the strongest communities struggle.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
As an Ahmadi Muslim, I was taught that honesty is an essential part of faith. Prophet Muhammad was known as Al-Amin, meaning \u201cthe trustworthy.\u201d 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.<\/p>\n
A trustworthy community begins with individuals who choose to do the right thing, even when there is no recognition for doing so.<\/p>\n
\u2014 Farid Ahmad, Easton\u00a0<\/p>\n
Free press is superior to government media<\/p>\n
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 \u201cfake news,\u201d then claimed this is an assault on \u201cthe free press.\u201d<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Then Trump stated on his Truth Social network (another play on words) that these fake news networks are a threat to our national security.<\/p>\n
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?<\/p>\n
\u2014 Stephen Smith, Bethlehem<\/p>\n
Support effort to restore Endangered Species Act<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n
\u2014 Ann Lee, Whitehall Township<\/p>\n
Election letters<\/p>\n
Letters to the editor about candidates and issues in the Nov. 3 general election must be received by 10 a.m. Oct. 22.\u00a0 Election-related letters will not be published after Oct. 29.<\/p>\n