News

October 28, 2010

Eachus critical of challenger’s silence

By Andrew M. Seder aseder@timesleader.com
Times Leader Staff Writer
Andrew M. Seder on Facebook   |   @TLAndrewSeder on Twitter

For the first time since Tarah Toohil earned the Republican nomination to face House Majority Leader Todd Eachus in November, the incumbent has taken the gloves off and come out swinging.

In a press release Wednesday, Eachus and his campaign manager David Georges questioned Toohil’s “qualities” to “be an effective representative.”

They based that on her failure to speak up Tuesday night at a public meeting, held by the Department of Environmental Protection, regarding a permit application by Hazleton Creek Properties LLC to use the smokestack scrubbings of coal-fired power plants from New Jersey as fill to reclaim and develop mine-scarred land in Hazleton.

Eachus, who has opposed the project, made his feelings known once more during the two-hour meeting at Hazleton Area High School.

In a press release issued Wednesday, Eachus said he was “stunned my opponent was able to sit there silently while hearing that Hazleton area families are about to become subjects of another science experiment. If this permit is granted, the applicant will be able to dump Philadelphia’s river dredge (sediment), coal ash and kiln dust, construction and demolition debris and now flue gas desulphurization material into the ground. The last two materials are experimental, and nobody knows the effects of all this junk mixing together,” said Eachus, D-Butler Township.

He promised to continue his fight against the permit.

Toohil on Wednesday confirmed she was among the 90 people in the school’s auditorium, said she was there to learn more about the project and to hear residents’ concerns.

“I did not go there as a political opportunist and to grandstand,” said Toohil, an attorney from Butler Township. “I went there to listen to the concerns of residents and to DEP’s answers.”

She said she was upset at the lack of the latter. While she has yet to take a position on the project, she said some things she heard were troubling.

“I have serious concerns about the environmental impact on the community … The Hazleton area is a beautiful place and I want to make sure it stays that way,” said Toohil.

Eachus said the time has come for Toohil to announce where she stands.

“This is an issue with a right side and a wrong side,” said Eachus. “You’re either defending public health and environmental safety or a failed business plan that places both in jeopardy. … Hazleton area families need to know where she stands on this issue, and she owes them an explanation.”

Toohil said she was not surprised Eachus decided to make the issue political.

She said a standing offer to Eachus for a debate remains on the table, and she looks forward to discussing this and other issues when he decides to accept her challenge.

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