Donaher Opposes Plainfield's Proposed Sludge Plant

Donaher with Senator Casey

Dean M. Donaher, who is running for State Representative in the 138th Legislative District, has come out against the proposed sewage processing plant to be developed in Plainfield Township by Synagro Technologies Inc.

“If this sludge plant is developed, it’s going to adversely affect the Slate Belt’s natural environment, plain and simple,” Donaher said. “State leaders should be rising up against this facility, which unfortunately hasn’t happened. We need leaders who will fight for their local communities and natural environment every step of the way, which is why I wholeheartedly oppose the development of this plant” he said.

For years, Synagro Technologies has been attempting to obtain the necessary permitting to develop this plant. Donaher has attended at least three of these meetings, and is concerned about its negative impact on a high-quality stream. Our waterways are also being damaged by irresponsible development, he observed. "I looked at them today and they are chocolate brown from all the sediment being washed in."

"Nobody's minding the store [in Harrisburg]," he complained.

“I’ve spoken with too many Plainfield Township residents on their front porches about how this plant will alter the natural environment in such a beautiful area in Northampton County. We shouldn’t gamble away our natural environment just so corporate profits dramatically increase for these large companies. Let’s do the right thing and oppose this unnecessary sludge plant,” he concluded.

Just this year, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection found Synagro irresponsibly violated state rules by dumping sludge over a farmer’s field. There is also great concern that this plan will have a negative impact on high-quality streams.

In late January, Synagro was cited by the state DEP for spreading Class B sludge on a farmer's field in Lower Mount Bethel. No fine was imposed because the company addressed the issue.

Donaher, a retired educator, is challenging incumbent Marcia Hahn. Her Facebook page is devoid of comments on this issue.

Dean Donaher Will Reject State Rep. Pension

Dean Donaher

The annual salary for a rank-and-file State Representative is $87,180. It goes up every year with the Consumer Price Index. In addition, legislators who live 50 miles away can charge taxpayers for meals and living expenses while in the land of midnight payraises. Finally, they get a pension for all their hard work as back-benchers, doing as they're told. But if you send Dean Donaher to Harrisburg, he's made clear he'll take no pension.

Dean M. Donaher of Hanover Township, Northampton County is the Democratic nominee for State Representative in the 138th Legislative District. His opponent is incumbent Marcia Hahn, who has been sleeping there since 2010. Prior to that, she was a secretary in that office. She has no education beyond a high school diploma. She is used to doing what she's told. Her former boss, Craig Dally, took a bipartisan approach. Not Marcia. She does what the Republican leadership tells her to do.

She has forgotten or more likely has never realized that her real bosses are the people who live and vote in her district. That's why, unlike many of the Republican peers, she refused to sponsor a bill to reform the gerrymander.

Donahaer announced yesterday that he has no interest in a pension and will reject it. “As someone who already receives a pension, there’s no need for me to ‘double dip,’ he said. "I’m running for State Representative to make a significant and positive difference in my community, not to receive another pension check.”

Donaher wants to do his part to ensure that the Commonwealth’s taxes are being directed to initiatives that matter in our local communities: job creation programs and educating our youth.