Workers Search For Parts Of Body 
Missing Leg And Arm Of Body 
Found At Wyoming Valley 
Sanitary Authority Plant Not 
Yet Discovered

25 Suspected Illegal Aliens Rounded Up

Thursday, August 22, 1996 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Page: 





Takings leaves us at mercy of the greedy &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The unfortunate destruction of homes at the Woodcrest Development in Plains &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Township and the permit denial for a garbage transfer station in Hanover &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Township are prime examples why ``takings'' legislation currently making
its way through the state legislature must be stopped in its tracksUnder
Senate Bill 1587, the government, meaning we taxpayers, would have to
monetarily compensate applicants who are denied their "constitutional right"
to, for example, fill in a wetland on their property to build a housing
development (as occurred at Woodcrest), or construct a waste transfer station
in close proximity to a school (as with J.P. Mascaro), or even operate a
pornographic business next to a church. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Just imagine all the kooks this legislation would bring out of the
woodwork. Anyone looking to make a quick buck could merely concoct some
hairbrained scheme and be paid by you and me to forget it. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Nationwide, takings legislation is opposed by hundreds of organizations
including religious groups like the United Methodist Church, the Presbyterian
Church and the Evangelical Lutheran Church; environmental groups too numerous
to mention; labor unions such as the AFL-CIO, UAW and UMW; consumer groups
like the Consumer Federation of America; professional groups like the Union of
Concerned Scientists, health; civil rights and historic preservation groups;
public interest groups like the American Association of Retired Persons; the
Attorneys General of 32 states; and all taxpayers organizations. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 By contrast, takings legislation is backed by wealthy land speculators and
developers; oil, gas, timber and mining companies; as well as ranchers and
corporate farmers, who are hardly the destitute mom and pop landowners whom
proponents often use as poster child examples to support their ridiculous and
greedy agenda. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Unbelievably, S.B. 1587 has received 20 cosponsors including all three
senators from Northeastern Pennsylvania: Sens. Lemmond, Mellow and Musto. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Ed Zygmunt &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Avoca &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Takings Leaves Us At Mercy Of The Greedy 
The Unfortunate Destruction Of Homes At The Woodcrest Development In Plains 
Township And The Permit Denial For A Garbage Transfer Station In Hanover 
Township Are Prime Examples Why ``takings'' Legislation Currently Making Its 
Way Through The State Legislature Must Be Stopped In Its Tracks.