“QUARRIES HAVE A FRIEND IN HARRISBURG”*

On March 25 of this year, a Senate Bill was proposed by Senator Robert Tomlinson (Levittown, Bucks County), Sen. Mary Jo White (Franklin, PA), Sen. John Eichelberger (Hollidaysburg, PA), and Sen. Wayne D. Fontana (Pittsburgh, PA) and referred to the state Environmental Resources & Energy Committee.  Sen. Mary Jo White is Chair of the Committee.

According to New Hanover Township Solicitor, Paul Bauer, “Just prior to sponsoring this bill Sen. Tomlinson and others on this committee received generous donations from John Silvi, Larry Silvi, and Monique Silvi.”  This information is available to all on a campaign finance website provided by our state government. (The PA Campaign Website is here.)

John and Larry Silvi are owners of Gibraltar Rock, Inc. who for the past ten years has been attempting to bring a hard-rock quarry, asphalt plant, and concrete plant to rural New Hanover Township.  The problem: Gibraltar Rock does not want to abide by local zoning, township ordinances, and the land development process ordered by Judge Kent H. Albright of the Montgomery County Court of Common Pleas.

To quote Attorney Bauer, “The bill being proposed is specifically crafted for quarries, was written by Gibraltar Rock attorneys, and is directed without doubt at New Hanover Township.”  According to Attorney Bauer, in less than six weeks the proposed bill finds itself days away from a final vote!  The bill would amend the “Non-coal Surface Mining Conservation and Reclamation Act” adopted in 1984.

New Hanover Township has adopted a Resolution in opposition to this proposed bill and amendment to the Mining Act.  The township has talked to State Rep. Marcy Toepel (147^th District) who has stated that she is opposed to this legislation.  In agreement with Rep. Toepel are Senator Bob Mensch (24^th District) and State Rep. Tom Quigley of Pottstown (146^th District). 

The township has requested the help of the Paradise Watchdogs to call and write local legislators, the senators who proposed this bill, and members of the Environmental Resources & Energy Committee.  If you would like to help us, please leave a message on this website and we will send a list of legislators to you.  You may call, email, or write the senators and local representatives.  Writing letters will prevent hearing the excuses and denials from the senators involved in this attempt to greatly diminish the authority of our local government and the back-door attempt to allow a Gibraltar Rock quarry to enter our neighborhood. (Sample letters are here.)

* This is the title of a May 11, 2011 article in the Town & Country newspaper from Pennsburg. To check it out, go to www.upvnews.com  (Article is on Page 1).