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E. Union delays adoption of immigration ordinance

BY STEPHEN J. PYTAK
STAFF WRITER
spytak@republicanherald.com
09/07/2006


SHEPPTON — Because Hazleton’s Illegal Immigration Relief Act is being challenged, East Union Township has decided to wait before adopting a similar ordinance.

“I’m of the opinion on holding off on that right at the present time because of the different lawsuits that are against the ordinance that Hazleton has,” township supervisors Vice Chairman Thomas F. Deebel said during Wednesday evening’s meeting at the Sheppton-Oneida Fire Company.

“This ordinance is very similar to the Hazleton ordinance,” township solicitor Frank R. Cori said of the proposed East Union law.

Approved in Hazleton, Luzerne County, on July 13, the act targets illegal immigrants by punishing the landlords who rent rooms to them with $1,000 fines, and businesses who employ them by taking away their licenses for up to five years.

Since Hazleton tentatively approved the law in June, several northern Schuylkill County municipalities have either passed similar ordinances or expressed interest.

The law was given final approval in Mahanoy City borough Aug. 8, in West Mahanoy Township Aug. 15 and in Mahanoy Township Aug. 17.

Shenandoah borough, which advertised the law in July, decided to table it Aug. 21, awaiting the outcome of the challenge to Hazleton’s law.

The Puerto Rican Legal Defense and Education Fund, the American Civil Liberties Union and other groups filed a suit against Hazleton on behalf of 11 Hazleton residents and business owners and three nonprofit groups in August, the Associated Press reported.

The supervisors went on record opposing plans for the construction of a water bottling plant at the former Brandonville Industrial Park.

Developer Stanley F. Frompovicz, Auburn, who owns 115 acres at the park, has been working on this project for several years.

U.S. Bottling intends to build a $20 million, 60,000-square-foot plant on 10 acres just off Industrial Road, less than a quarter mile from the intersection with Route 924 and the Brandonville Citizens Fire Company.

“He’s got permits to take the water, so I’m not sure if we have any say,” supervisors Chairman Jon J. Dettery said, adding he’s “against what Mr. Frompovicz is doing 100 percent.” Previously, Dettery said one reason why is he fears the possibility of a water table draw-down that could impact township residents.

Before construction can begin, the Schuylkill County Planning and Zoning Commission, Pottsville, must approve an application to rezone four high-density residential lots to conservation.



©The REPUBLICAN & Herald 2006