Voices of the Valley
Reports and opinion pieces from people who live, work, or attend school in the Lehigh Valley.
Town Hall Wall 4-21-13
Comments posted (almost all are by other exhibiting groups) on the Town Hall Wall featured at the Alliance’s info table, Earth Day on the Greenway, SouthSide Bethlehem, 4-21-13, in response to question: “What Goals Would You Include in a Sustainability … more
Town Hall Wall 4-19-13
Comments posted (almost all are by other exhibiting groups) on the Town Hall Wall featured at the Alliance’s info table, Muhlenberg College, Earth Day, 4-19-13, in response to question: “What Goals Would You Include in a Sustainability Blueprint for the Lehigh … more
Anna Maria Caldara: ‘Power Lines Threaten Lenape Trees’
by Anna Maria Caldara Ratepayers must be convinced that the Susquehanna to Roseland 500kV Electric Transmission Line project is necessary. To that end, JCP& L and PP&L have lobbied President Obama, who has recommended it be “fast-tracked.” Then maybe the … more
Karen Feridun: ‘Protecting the Interests of the People’
When the residents of Lynn Township, Lehigh County discovered E.coli in their water wells, they approached their township supervisors, asking them to tell a local farmer to stop using fertilizer made from treated sewage sludge that goes by the green- … more
Anna Maria Caldara: ‘Saying No to Toxic Waste Dumping’
Bangor, Pennsylvania was once the slate-producing capital of the world. Now the abandoned quarries are candidates for toxic dumping. For over 30 years, one particular quarry has been receiving truckloads of ash from the GenOn coal plant in Mt.Bethel. The … more
Doug Roysdon: ‘Our Cultural Infrastructure’
It is a great luxury to live in a community with both a growing entertainment industry and a thriving cultural infrastructure. Together, these community assets bring excitement, employment and prosperity to the Valley. But, maintaining a working relationship between the … more
Santiago Tito Rivera, Jr.: ‘Don’t Harm The Messenger’
I’m honored to have the opportunity to share with you a brief exploration of what life is like in SouthSide Bethlehem, where I live and call home. While there are many who are active voices in this community, few seem … more
Noël Jones: ‘The Importance of Being Radical’
I attended the memorial service of a dear friend recently, a friend who had been very active during the Civil Rights Movement in the 60s. A college friend of his spoke at the service about attending protests and marches together, … more
Ken Burak: ‘The Sun’
Summer vacation with the family in Vermont. Rainy morning. Aha! Monopoly! I decide to teach my two girls – Hannah (7) and Dhara (5)—how to play. I figure it’s best for them to learn by playing. First they pick their … more
Barnaby Ruhe: ‘Ban Fracking Locally’
From Barnaby Ruhe, 5/9/2012: only local action is going to happen, folks. and probably only mothers’ actions with pots and pans. someone has to stop the imminent destruction for the children. that it is a clear violation of fundamental rights, … more