Tag: Politics

The State College Borough Water Authority staff and board are comfortable with the Cottages.

August 1, 2017

The State College Borough Water Authority has released a statement on the proposed Toll Brother development. At the Ferguson Township board’s first meeting in July I asked Steven Jackson, the Ferguson liaison to the State College Borough Water Authority, to request that the authority address the issue of risk from the Cottages development. Two weeks ago … More The State College Borough Water Authority staff and board are comfortable with the Cottages.

“All my means are sane, my motive and object mad.” Pennypacker v. Ferguson Township

July 4, 2017

In the last week and a half, I’ve received dozens of emails about Pennypacker v. Ferguson Township. Ferguson and Centre Region citizens concerned about the short- and long-term impacts on our region from the Cottages luxury housing development want the highest court in Pennsylvania to rule on whether the former board violated zoning law. As I’ve written here previously, the Toll Brothers proposed development has been a mess. Citizens are right that the Supreme Court could clarify things by hearing the case. Will they? Who knows? The case has taken twists and turns and the board, to some citizens’ considerable disappointment did not file the answer many asked for. What’s going on? … More “All my means are sane, my motive and object mad.” Pennypacker v. Ferguson Township

FERGUSON TOWNSHIP IS ON THE VERGE OF BOLDLY ACTING ON CLIMATE CHANGE

June 19, 2017

[Updated: June 19, 2017] Tonight, the Ferguson Township Board of Supervisors will vote on a truly ambitious climate resolution. We are voting to “develop a strategy to achieve net zero GHG emissions as quickly as feasible, but no later than 2050. Doing so will make us lead by example and engage our peer governments and … More FERGUSON TOWNSHIP IS ON THE VERGE OF BOLDLY ACTING ON CLIMATE CHANGE

Penn State joins a grand coalition calling for action to meet goals of the #ParisAgreement

June 7, 2017

For months, many of us worried that Trump would withdraw from the Paris Agreement. So last week, when it became clear that he would, some of us despaired and some of us resolved to fight even harder. Last November, the organization Second Nature organized an effort for college and university presidents to back climate science … More Penn State joins a grand coalition calling for action to meet goals of the #ParisAgreement

Newt Gingrich gave the scientific community a gruesome opportunity.

February 3, 2017

Recently, Newt Gingrich was a keynote speaker at the National Council for Science and the Environment conference in DC. The Council “advances informed environmental policy and decisionmakingthrough science. Our work and programs include interdisciplinary research, scientific assessment, information dissemination, training and curriculum development.  We engage scientists, educators, policymakers, business leaders and officials at all levels of government.” Gingrich was a strange choice. … More Newt Gingrich gave the scientific community a gruesome opportunity.

We are better than walls and bans. #NoWallNoBan in the Centre Region

January 31, 2017

Tonight at COG general forum I asked that we move to adopt a resolution recognizing immigrants’ and refugees’ rights. It will go back to our townships before coming back to the COG. Other members of the COG forum, from the State College Borough in particular, have taken the first steps to getting a resolution before us. I … More We are better than walls and bans. #NoWallNoBan in the Centre Region

We will not give our wrists up easily to unjust laws. This is our lunch counter moment.

January 30, 2017

I was proud to join the 100s who rallied at Penn State’s gates for love and compassion on Sunday. We oppose Donald Trump’s ban on people from Sudan, Iraq, Iran, Syria, Somalia, Yemen, and Libya. We oppose a decision that consigns thousands of people to the hands of ISIS/ISIL. We oppose it because it throws … More We will not give our wrists up easily to unjust laws. This is our lunch counter moment.

Scientists, we need you to run for office. File that paperwork.

January 26, 2017

Margaret Mead said, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” That includes you scientists. Scientists need to run for office. Period. Whatever party you have joined, if one at all, Americans need your habits of mind, your practices, and the attitudes you have … More Scientists, we need you to run for office. File that paperwork.