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(Editor’s note: This is the first in a series of articles that will appear in The Daily Herald to highlight issues that were addressed at Senator John Eichelberger’s town hall meeting held Tuesday night in Tyrone. This article talks about wind development, while the other articles in the series will focus on the Chesapeake Bay clean-up and flood control.)
Pennsylvania’s 30th District Senator John H. Eichelberger, Jr. held a public town hall meeting last night at the Tyrone Senior Center. Among the many topics brought up in the room of nearly 200 concerned and interested Tyrone residents, neighboring residents and local officials, was wind development not only in Tyrone and the 30th District, but in Pennsylvania in general.
Senator Eichelberger fielded questions from those in attendance addressing people’s concerns about wind energy development and the effects it has locally and around the state. The senator believes that the bottom line is that wind energy development is “mostly a feel good approach” to the energy problem.
“At the end of the day, it’s going to have almost no impact on energy generation,” said Eichelberger. “Between one and one and a half percent of the total energy generation in Pennsylvania if they build all the windmills they want to build is what the impact would be.”
The state government wants to build around 4,000 miles of windmills in Pennsylvania. Eichelberger said that the one and one and a half percent energy generation assumption is the state’s projected impact, which doesn’t mean that it would even be that high.
The senator said that there are many questions about the effects of having windmills anywhere close to people’s homes, and he feels that there is going to be government intervention either from local ordinances which is what’s being done now, or from state regulations, which is what is not being done presently in Pennsylvania.
“I think that the local governments lack the expertise to identify the correct issues, and they’re all different,” said Eichelberger. “There’s siting issues that are different in each particular place where they’re looking to site these windmills, so I think that it should be the state’s role to set forth some good regulations on the siting of windmills.”
He added, “It would be an aide to local municipalities.”
Senator Eichelberger continued by saying that the wind generation in Pennsylvania is just not as significant as it is in other parts of the country. He said that is part of the problem with the situation in Tyrone. People aren’t against the technology, but against whether or not wind development should be done here when it could be done in other places where the electricity generation is multiple times what it is in Pennsylvania.
“We’re shipping most of the generation out of state,” said Eichelberger. “We’re not getting any benefit here except for some monetary benefit, but if we drive down property values, if we lose people from the community, then the few thousand dollars they make will not be worth it.”
Eichelberger added that he and his colleagues in Harrisburg are looking at trying to come up with some kind of siting regulations for wind developers. He said that a lot of people think that local governments want to make these decisions with wind farms and that they want to customize it locally, but he thinks most of the local governments he’s talked to, not speaking for Tyrone, actually would welcome some kind of expertise coming from somewhere else.
“We’re looking at coming up with a statutory remedy or regulatory remedy that we’d work with DEP (Department of Environmental Protection) on, and see if we can do something statewide,” said Eichelberger. “Of course, the municipalities would have to agree with it.”
The senator also addressed the question of placing windmills on state public lands, and he thinks that will eventually happen. Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell is a strong supporter of wind development.
“The last I talked with the PA Game Commission, they have not permitted it (windmills) on game commission land, but DCNR (Department of Conservation and Natural Resources) I think will end up probably putting them on DCNR land, although they haven’t yet,” stated Eichelberger.
Eichelberger added that there are a lot of issues with the wind turbine sites dealing with water run-off, noise, strobing and the effect on birds and wildlife that need to be addressed.
Representatives from the Pittsburgh based company PennFuture, who support wind energy development in Pennsylvania, were present at the town hall meeting last night, and the senator “resented” the fact that an out-of-town entity would come into Tyrone to try and influence its residents.
“There are many questions about the effects of having windmills anywhere close to people’s homes, and PennFuture is a group that has received money from Gamesa,” said Eichelberger.
“They’re (PennFuture) not from the area, they’re people from out of the area who are coming here to try and influence the people in Tyrone – and I don’t think that’s appropriate at all.”

The United States Census Bureau conducts a census of the population and housing of the United States every 10 years.
Census data drive reapportionment and redistricting decisions can directly affect the distribution of more than $200 billion in federal funds each year. The census is based on an up-to-date address list compiled from many sources.
The Borough of Tyrone needs everyone’s help to ensure that the census bureau address list is as accurate as possible.
Accurate census data is important to the Tyrone community in a number of ways. In addition to the constitutional requirements for the decennial census to apportion seats in the U.S. House of Representatives, census data is used to allocate federal monies to state and local governments.
Additionally, significant amounts of state-generated funds are distributed on the basis of population data. Other statistical census data supports grant applications that fund community, social, economic, and environmental programs and other needed improvements and enhancements.
Census data also helps communities plan for future needs.
The next census will take place within the next 180 days. People from the census bureau will come door to door to conduct its census. It is very important to the community that everyone takes part. Much of the state and federal funding Tyrone receives is based on our population.
Over $900 in funding is lost for every person not counted in the census.
In the 2000 census, the population of Pennsylvania was 12,281,054. Blair County held a population of 129,144. Tyrone Borough’s population was 5,528.
Tyrone Borough’s population in 1960 was 7,792.
The census is very detailed and inquires on the following: population, land area, race, hispanic, age cohorts, migration, households/families, types of households, households with children, housing units, homeowners/renters, types of housing units, year householder moved in, housing values, income, range of household incomes, poverty status, educational attainment, employment status, employment by occupation, employment by industry and commuting to work.

According to information released from the PA Emergency Management Agency, state emergency officials said a storm system that could bring two inches of rain or more to much of the state could cause minor to moderate flooding along creeks, streams and rivers.
“We are working closely with the National Weather Service and local emergency management officials to monitor this weather system and to take all necessary precautions to protect lives and property if water levels rise,” said Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency Director Robert P. French in a press release.
The National Weather Service says conditions will be favorable for flooding caused by melting snow combined with heavy rains, and has issued a flood watch for the region for today and tomorrow.
The Huntingdon County Emergency Management Agency released information this morning reporting on the conditions of the Little Juniata River.
Early this morning, at Spruce Creek, the river was reported to be at 7.27 feet with a projected maximum level of 8.1 feet. The flood state in that area is eight feet.
In Huntingdon, the river was already reported to have reached 9.49 feet with a maximum projected level of 10 feet by this afternoon. The flood stage at Huntingdon is 12 feet.
PennDOT warns motorists not to drive across roads covered with water as the water may be deeper than it looks.
Motorists who encounter water covered roads are encouraged to turn around and not put themselves at risk.
PennDOT also offers the following tips for preparing vehicles and driving in rainy conditions:
• If wipers are on, headlights need to be on, it’s the law;
• Check the headlights – both low and high beams – before heading out to make sure all bulbs are working;
• Check wiper blades – replace them if they feel rough to the touch;
• Do not attempt to drive over a flooded road. Turn around and go another way;
• Do not underestimate the destructive power of fast-moving water. Two feet of fast moving flood water will float your car. Even slow moving water can sweep cars off a road or bridge;
• Slow down. Driving slower on wet surfaces is always a good idea;
• Try to stay at least two car lengths behind the car in front of you and
• If you are in your car and water begins to rise rapidly around you, abandon the vehicle immediately.
In the event of a power failure, PennDOT would like to remind motorists that numerous traffic signals might become inoperative. The rule of the road requires motorists to react to an inoperative signal as they would a four-way-stop. That is, come to a complete stop and yield the right-of-way to the motorist on the right.
Motorists are encouraged to report maintenance concerns to PennDOT by using its toll-free Roadway Maintenance Hotline at 1-800-FIX-ROAD (1-800-349-7623).
French added anyone who lives in an area where there is a history of flooding should watch for notification of any weather watches and warnings on their local TV or radio stations provided through the Emergency Alert System.
A weather watch means there is a possibility of severe weather; advance preparations should be made.
A weather warning means that severe weather is imminent, and your severe weather plan should be implemented.
French also provided tips to prepare for flooding. He noted people should plan and practice an evacuation route and contact the local emergency management office for a copy of its community flood evacuation plan.
Also, always have disaster supplies on hand, including: flashlights and extra batteries; portable, battery-operated radio and extra batteries; first aid kit and manual; emergency food and water; non-electric can opener; essential medicines/prescriptions; cash, credit cards and important legal documents and sturdy shoes.
High water has already forced several roads in Huntingdon and Fulton Counties to be closed.
For interstate closures motorists can go to www.dot.state.pa.us
Additional flood safety information and weather updates can be found at www.PEMA.state.pa.us.

The Tyrone boys basketball team is involved in the PIAA state boys basketball tournament. Please come out to the Golden Eagles/North East game at Clarion University at 7:30 p.m. tonight and cheer on the boys.
They have earned our faith with a wonderful season on the basketball court. Seldom has any basketball team dreamed of the opportunities that are presented by state playoffs, and more seldom has a team from Tyrone shown the grit, talent and athleticism that the 2007-08 Eagles have shown.
The ball is in our court as fans, to match the crowd and better it, that North East will bring. And rumor has it that they will be bringing a BIG crowd!
Get out and show the boys and the opponents that we are TYRONE PROUD.
The young men who play basketball for the Orange and Black deserve to have us honor them by being there to watch them play at the high level they have all season long, and to out-support any team’s fans as we have at so many other sporting events.
Let’s all wear orange and cheer and yell for our guys at the basketball game when we play North East tonight!

Hershey bound The 112-pound PIAA state qualifiers from last weekend’s Southwest Regionals on the medal stand at the Cambria County War Memorial in Johnstown. Left to right: Fifth place-Jeremy Landowski, Burrell; Third place-Evan Henderson, United; Champion-Anthony Zannetta, Keystone Oaks, Second place-A. J. Schopp, Tyrone; and Sixth place- Luke Lohr, Somerset, who is the first alternate. (The Daily Herald/Bob Miller)

HERSHEY, Pa. (AP) — The PIAA wrestling championships begin Thursday with 448 wrestlers vying for 28 titles in two classes. Some are making their first appearance, while others have made multiple trips to Hershey’s Giant Center.
Heading the list of returnees in Class AA is Shady Side Academy sophomore Frank Martellotti (45-10) and Tyrone sophomore A.J. Schopp (36-4) at 112 pounds. Martellotti defeated Schopp in last year’s PIAA 103-pound final, but neither won a title at this year’s Southwest Regional.
“It’s very obvious that 112 is the toughest weight class in Class AA,” said Shady Side Academy coach Tim Giel. “There are at least eight kids who have a legitimate shot of winning the title. Frankie will have to be at his best to win another title.”
Martellotti has the unfortunate task of facing a returning PIAA placewinner in the first round. He is matched with Boiling Springs sophomore Joe Spisak (35-5), a sixth-place finisher at 103 last season.
Spisak, Schopp and Martellotti are in the upper half of the 112-pound bracket, along Mount Carmel’s Josh Malick, a two-time placewinner who finished eighth at 112 last year.
The bottom half of the bracket features three returning placewinners: Milton junior Brock Waughen (33-4), Brandywine Heights sophomore Zane Yocco (43-8), and Curwensville sophomore Derek Brothers (31-3). The trio finished fifth, seventh and eighth last year at 103.
Anthony Zanetta, a junior from Keystone Oaks with a 36-0 record, is also in the lower half of the bracket. He is also the only unbeaten entry in the weight class, and has beaten both Martellotti and Schopp.
“It’s stacked from top to bottom,” said Zanetta, who posted a 1-2 record in his first PIAA appearance last year. “Anything can happen at any moment in this weight class. I just have to have a good weekend.”
Schopp (36-4), who was second at the Southwest Regional, will wrestle Union City freshman Shane Rankin (36-3) who was third at the Northwest Regional in the opening round. The winner of that bout will meet the winner of the match between Bermudian Springs junior Nick Blasone (37-11) and Mount Carmel senior Josh Mallick (36-2), who won the 112-pound championship at the Northeast Regional.
Tyrone freshman 103-pounder Ronnie Garbinsky (36-3), a second place medalist at the Southwest Regional, will begin his tournament against Benton freshman Coltin Fought (38-5), who finished third in the Northeast Regional last weekend. The winner of that match will face the winner of a match between Jefferson-Morgan senior Brian Scritchfield (31-10) who was fifth at the Soutwest Regional, but did not wrestle Garbinsky, and Pen Argyl freshman Jamie Welsh (32-4), who won the 103-pound title at the Southeast Regional.
Two weight classes feature six returning placewinners — 119 pounds in Class AA, and 112 pounds in Class AAA.
The top returnee in the Class AA 119-pound weight class is Northeastern Lehigh junior Evan Yenolevich (34-1), who was the runner-up at 112 last year. He is the only returning placewinner in the lower half of the bracket.
The other five placewinners are in the upper half of the bracket, with two facing off in the first round: Forest Hills junior David Fogle (34-2) and Brandywine Heights senior Matt Yocco (50-6).
Fogle is a two-time placewinner who finished sixth at 112 last year. Yocco placed third in 2006, but didn’t place last year. Neither won a regional title this year.
Also in the upper half of the bracket are: Greenville junior Coty Burnett (34-5), Pottstown senior Seth Ecker (36-2), and Line Mountain senior Tyler Erdman (40-1). Burnett placed fifth at 112 last year. Ecker is a two-time placewinner who finished seventh at 112 last year. Erdman has moved down to 119 after finishing seventh at 125 last year.
The strongest weight class in Class AAA is 112, as Penn-Trafford junior Shane Young (40-0) has moved up after claiming the 103-pound title last year. Young brings an 86-match win streak into the tournament.
Joining Young in the upper half of the bracket are: Central Dauphin junior Simon Rice (45-4) and Central Mountain sophomore Jordan Rich (36-7). Rice finished fourth at 103 last year, while Rich placed seventh.
The lower half of the 112-pound bracket features Emmaus senior Taylor Brown (36-8), Bellefonte junior Mitchell Port (30-6), and Kiski Area senior Zach Cecchetti (30-6). Brown is a two-time placewinner who finished second at 112 last year. Port finished fifth at 103, while Cecchetti was fifth at 112. Port and Cecchetti meet in the first round.
Two other weight classes in Class AAA have a pair of placewinners facing off in the first round.
Dallastown senior Zach Oberlander (33-4) and North Allegheny junior Joe Waltko (33-4) are matched in the first round at 125. Oberlander was sixth at 125 last year. Waltko placed fourth at 103 in 2006.
Central Dauphin junior Tony Dallago (42-6) and Northampton junior James Sheptock (36-3) face off in the first round at 152. Dallago is a two-time placewinner who finished second at 140 last year. Sheptock placed seventh at 140 last year.