At the Jan. 12 meeting of the Carbon County Commissioners, Commissioners Wayne Nothstein and Rocky Ahner voted against Commissioner Chris Lukasevich’s motion to research “ ... the option of invoking eminent domain by the County of Carbon for the public purpose of protecting Mauch Chunk Lake and Mauch Chunk Lake Park from the ill effects of actual or potential encroachment by private or commercial development ...”

Commissioner Lukasevich’s motion was in response to Jim Thorpe Borough Council’s plan to amend the Borough’s Special Zoning District ordinance to allow a development with septic systems to build closer to the lake than the zoning ordinance allows. The Special Zoning District ordinance states “ ... development of the area will be restricted to reduce the probability of pollution.”

The lake supplies drinking water to Jim Thorpe and recreation for all. We need to protect our natural resources from unnecessary development. The next JT Borough Council meeting is Feb. 9 at Memorial Hall at 6:30 p.m.

Jerry Hoare

Jim Thorpe