JULY 17-23, 2014 Your Local News
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Junior Conservation School Underway Page 16
The Home News By BILL HALBFOERSTER The Home News
Robert Nappa reads from prepared speech the residents’ opposition to the proposed FedEx megahub project near Willowbrook Road in Allen Township. – Home News photo
Last month, two new members of the Allen Township Board of Supervisors, Larry Oberly and Dale Hassler, asked for a delay on voting pro or con regarding the FedEx megahub plans so they could review the proposal. On Thursday night, the entire board voted to grant a further extension of time – until August 15 – for both the Rockefeller Group subdivision plan and the FedEx Ground hub land development plan. It came after Robert Nappa, a spokesman for local residents opposed to the FedEx project, was allowed to speak up to 15 minutes to express
Allen Tp. board Hears opponents, Grants extensions
their reasoning. Initially, he gave two reasons for the opposition: (1) It would be a severe detriment to the community and (2) The number of cars and trucks projected would create a traffic nightmare. But he did add, “Our opposition is not about not wanting industrial development in our neighborhood. We understand that this tract of land is zoned for industrial use.” Nappa asked for a delay until the requirements are met under the Allen Township zoning ordinance Section 1409. He said a preliminary traffic study by the Pidcock Co. engineering firm hired
by the Rockefeller Group was filled with errors and omissions. He said Gilmore & Associates made an expert review that was requested by Hanover Township, Lehigh County, and it found that the estimated trips were miscalculated and failed to take into account the projections of traffic that would be generated by other developments, resulting in continued and ongoing congestion and safety concerns not only on Rt. 22, but also on area and regional roads and intersections. Nappa’s statement conContinued on page 3
Nazareth officer addresses Allegations of wrongdoing
By JOE KORBA The Home News
At a June 7 borough council meeting, political blogger Bernie O’Hare and Nazareth resident Trevor Gehret expressed concern about the actions of the Nazareth Police Department and sought to have the council investigate any wrongdoing by officers. O’Hare presented council with a resolution that was also posted on his blog, Lehigh Valley Ramblings. The resolution, while mostly allegations against Police Chief Thomas Trachta, also cited other examples of misconduct. One of the officers, Eric K. Schwab, was named in the resolution: “WHEREAS, he refused to take any disciplinary action against another part-time police officer (ERIC SCHWAB) who, after responding to a domestic disturbance on June 9, 2014, returned and drank with one of the victims;”
On June 9 The Home News obtained a statement taken after the alleged incident in June:
“June 11, 2014 On June 7, 2014 I was invited to Beth [last name redacted]‘s residence after my shift in Stockertown. At approximately 0020 hours I arrived at her residence and discussed PA Game Commission Hunters Safety Classes with her. Beth related that her daughter wanted to go and I had a friend who is very involved with this and can help. While at Beth’s residence I also spoke with Brian Keat about firearms and the September 11 attacks on the World Trade Center. We also spoke about this date being the anniversary of Trooper Miller’s death and that it was a point in my Police career that really has left a mental scar. Beth had asked me what was going to happen with Thomas Davis and I explained that she would be subpoenaed and the criminal justice system would run its course. I advised her that she may or may not have to testify depending on how Davis wanted to proceed with his attorney. At no time was I on official duty, or wearing a Nazareth Borough uniform clearing [sic] seen by the bright yellow stripes on my pants issued by Stockerton. While at the residence I did consume a couple beers before leaving. Eric K. Schwab”
610-759-6214
Schwab did not address other allegations in the resolution, including: “WHEREAS, he has created a culture of intolerance for any criticism of the police department that resulted in Officer Eric Schwab posting a Facebook comment asking fellow police officers to “light this [expletive] up” in response to factual criticisms made by O’Hare on his blog;” The Home News contacted O’Hare for his response. “Officer Schwab has admitted to unprofessional behavior. After responding to a domestic disturbance, he returned and drank with the victims. He was never accused of drinking on duty, but fraternization with the victims of a domestic disturbance is extremely inappropriate, whether on duty or not. So was Officer Schwab’s Facebook threat to me,” he said Chief Trachta has no comment on the release of this statement.
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