Dear Editor,
The front page article (3/8/21) about planned developments in the Hazleton Area reminds me of the adage, “The more things change the more they stay the same.” As a 70 year young native of McAdoo I have seen significant industrial development in the area. As in the past, these developments will receive enormous corporate welfare benefits courtesy of taxpayers in local government, county government, state government and the ever compliant Hazleton Area School District. Mostly, but not entirely, these take the form of grants, tax deferments and tax abatements doled out by the above taxing bodies. Of course, the average taxpayer picks up the slack. The beneficiaries of this corporate welfare would be the first to expound on the virtues of capitalism and pronounce their successes as private businesses. As such they must understand free enterprise. These private businesses have access to private capital markets. They do not need nor do they deserve taxpayer dollars.
Given the nature of the jobs, I’m thinking that they will not be paying a living wage. In the Greater Hazleton Area that would be a minimum of $40,000 after taxes. That would barely allow a person to pay all living expenses and, maybe, just maybe, put some savings aside. Is that too much to aspire to?
I don’t think so. As in the past, these developments will devastate thousands of acres of wild habitat. Many folks like myself remember what Valmont, Humbolt, McAdoo and Hazleton Heights industrial parks looked like before the wetlands were filled in, streams were redirected and forests were cut down. We spent enormous amounts of time in our local woods because it just felt good. These developments will continue that trend and severely reduce the quality of life in our communities. I do not think they should be allowed.
Finally, Instead of giving our corporate welfare neighbors tax breaks via the Delaware Loophole, KOZ programs, RIZ programs, grants, etc, I think the money should go to our state parks, community recreation, the arts, libraries, schools, food pantries, crises centers and entrepreneurial development. Spend those tax dollars for the betterment of the most people.
Mike Sauers, Greenfire Contributor
Formally of McAdoo and Hazleton