News Summary

By Keith

August 23, 2008 10:15 AM | Link to this

Have to agree..you need to do alot more research. My Aunt lives over on Seneca Street and has complained for years about AK polluted ways but to this day they still do it. People of this town needs to stand up and take the town back. Oust the council we have in there now cos we all seen that they simply sold us out to AK. Which has been happening for years. Its funny how They need this but still had a profit. Mr. McCoy could you please send me a share of the wealth?

By higasz

August 22, 2008 1:41 PM | Link to this

dkbckisxxcdbbltjgaqfonlpuwaplg

By Outraged

August 22, 2008 11:01 AM | Link to this

To Idah, I recommend you do your research before you open your mouth. That neighborhood you refer to as rich is not exactly accurate. It is a normal Middle-class neighborhood. I live in that neighborhood and work two jobs to support my families life. We are very hard working people who just want to have a healthy quality of life!! Nothing has been handed to us and we are definitely not uppidy as you put it. DO YOUR RESEARCH!!!!

By idah of middletown

August 22, 2008 2:31 AM | Link to this

I think that now its moved from the poor neighborhood to the rich…. that now its a problem….hell where were all these complainers while us poor folks lived up under the conditions for years that now your rich asses want to say…..hell not next door to me. Well you should have looked across the street when you bought you home…..you would have seen AK in the background. Get over your uppidity asses, and breath the same air I have all my life…..Ak here long before you bought that home.

By idah

August 22, 2008 2:24 AM | Link to this

Well, well, well….I’ve been listening to all the pros and cons about what AK is proposing. Well lets not forget, AK has been in the lower income area of Middletown since I was old enough to remember. And no one gave a s**t…..it was okay then by all these cry babies who now want to say because it effects the rich and famous that, hell we above the folks we had no problem with it….so long as it not in our back yard. Well, you should have looked across the street before you bought.

By idah

August 22, 2008 2:23 AM | Link to this

Well, well, well….I’ve been listening to all the pros and cons about what AK is proposing. Well lets not forget, AK has been in the lower income area of Middletown since I was old enough to remember. And no one gave a s**t…..it was okay then by all these cry babies who now want to say because it effects the rich and famous that, hell we above the folks we had no problem with it….so long as it not in our back yard. Well, you should have looked across the street before you bought.

By chef

August 21, 2008 11:17 PM | Link to this

Let’s get back to the point. A dirty facility want’s to move in. Is it going to be benificial to our community? The A.K. executives moved their offices to West Chester. Was it for TAX reasons or because they got tired of cleaning their cars once a week? I would guess that most of them made over 50k a year! As far as “people droping over” I can give you the names of at least 3 this year that died of resperatoy disease (that lived hear all thier lives) that didn”t smoke!

By Norman Rockwell

August 21, 2008 6:49 PM | Link to this

Is anyone as tired as I, of the “left-overs” Ed Richter serves up continually? I mean come on, its the same story re-written and appearing 20 times, with no news, just the same repetitive garbage. Can’t Cox do any better reporting? This SunCoke deal is really getting old, comparable to the news hype with Drew Petersen, who is alleged by some to have killed his wife a year ago (with no conviction) and now the young missing Anthony child in Florida. Its a done deal, please Mr. Richter, no more!!!

By David

August 21, 2008 6:10 PM | Link to this

I think everyone has been watching to much TV. Quit overreacting. I’ve lived downwind of AK all my life and I don’t see everyone falling over dead. You got all these mothers scared to death. So cool the emotional rhetoric and lets get back to producing and improving our economy.

By Marianne

August 21, 2008 6:08 PM | Link to this

That link is dead. No draft there. Nice.

By 4the kids

August 21, 2008 4:28 PM | Link to this

Middletown can gladly put this coke plant in the middle of your town. How about over by Miller Ridge. Lets see how the council votes then.

By Wow

August 21, 2008 2:02 PM | Link to this

Oh My!!! 560 tons of lead into the air/year. That is crazy. Well I guess we don’t have to worry about our kids eating paint chips anymore. Now they have to wear gas masks when they go outside!!!!

By Outraged

August 21, 2008 1:57 PM | Link to this

I URGE everyone that can to attend the EPA Meeting tonight at Miami University!! Don’t forget we can make a difference for our community if City Council won’t. Please attend and let your voice be heard where it counts!!

By Outraged

August 21, 2008 1:57 PM | Link to this

I URGE everyone that can to attend the EPA Meeting tonight at Miami University!! Don’t forget we can make a difference for our community if City Council won’t. Please attend and let your voice be heard where it counts!!

By chef

August 21, 2008 12:34 PM | Link to this

Ive lived behind Ak for six years now. Ive watched as middletown has gone down the drain. New taxes all the time because our government treats taxs as ‘free maoney’.We don’t need a ‘quick fix!(remember red light cameras?).Small business keeps money in town.Big business moves money out! If you want some idea about who is trying to get out of Middletown before it’s to late check out commercial property for sale in Middletown! I’m out before it’s to late!! GOOD LUCK !

By Susan

August 21, 2008 11:24 AM | Link to this

Wow - the Middletown numbers are a lot lower than Haverhill and yet they are supposed to be state of the art?

What will be the REAL numbers combined: this proposed Coke plant (#2 in town - yikes!) PLUS ALL the other polution we currently have from AK, etc. ?????????

Are 70 jobs really worth the lives of 70,000 residents in the pollution path? Butler County already is under fire from the EPA. How will this new plant help us clean up and breathe easier???

By VietVet

August 21, 2008 11:01 AM | Link to this

According to the article in the Journal the Haverhill 100 battery oven coke plant doesn’t meet the EPA standards in many categories. The Perry Thatcher contingent that visited the Haverhill plant said that the process was cleaner. Doesn’t necessarily look that way when compared to the EPA requirements. Is this really going to be the new improved, cleaner process? Doesn’t look that way.

By worriedmom

August 21, 2008 10:28 AM | Link to this

“environmental whakkos”? Forgive us for wanting to ensure that there even is a country, continent, or globe for our children and their grandchildren. Everyone has a right to his/her opinion but not at the expense of innocent children and their health. Children are the future. What future does Middletown have if their children grow up with breathing problems, skin irritations, and lungs full of toxins? As if our children are not facing enough struggles in today’s world.

By Nodoginfight

August 21, 2008 10:19 AM | Link to this

I dont have a dog in this fight, but I am in the know and for as much as I hate this suncoke plant going in your area, its not near as bad as the AK plant. There is a night and day difference between the two, and yes city and state government has bent over backwards to allow a foreign company in. Will this plant pollute? Yes, but it wont compare to AK.

By Keith

August 21, 2008 9:47 AM | Link to this

DON IM FAR FROM A IDIOT. YOU SAY MIDDLETOWN IS AT ROOM TEMP. EVER WONDER WHY? COS WHO IN THERE RIGHT MIND WOULD WANT TO MOVE A COMPANY HERE WITH AK POLLUTING AIR AND WATER 24/7.THEY HAVE BEEN DOING IT FOR A LONGTIME AND WILL CONTINUE DOING IT AS LONG AS “US IDOTS” SIT BACK AND ALLOW THEM. AK NEEDS TO CLEAN UP THERE ACT BEFORE ALLOWING THEM TO DESTROY ANOTHER PIECE OF LAND. TAKE A DRIVE OVER IN AMANDA DON AND STOP BY AND TALK TO A FEW PEOPLE THERE.

By Middie

August 21, 2008 9:22 AM | Link to this

I read in the Cincinnati Enquirer this morning that the Fed. EPA listed Butler County as a top polluting county and we are not in compliance as it is. So let’s go ahead and pollute more! That makes a whole lot of sense. Hopefully that will help in our fight against this plant location.

By Don

August 21, 2008 12:05 AM | Link to this

You idiots should welcome Sun Coke. Middletown has almost assumed room temperature. The environmental whakkos have almost ruined the economy of this country. Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth!!

By DSCM

August 20, 2008 11:55 PM | Link to this

City Council, please let the city voters vote on the SunCoke proposal!

Six people do not have the right to make such a major decision. You are over stepping your boundaries, without getting the community vote.

Many Middletown folks are sick of AK and their constant threat of pulling out. Hopefully, you have plenty of laws in place, that make them cleanup their land quicker than the Dick’s Creek cleanup.

A bad decision you make, can impact your family reputation for many years to come.

By madDog

August 20, 2008 6:30 PM | Link to this

Thank you for your support on this issue. We need your support and for your voices to be heard. There is an EPA hearing at Miami University Middletown and presence would help out. If haven’t already viewed the videos please visit www.youtube.com/watch?v=XulG3RFGcQ Its a great video. Also visit us at www.suncokewatch.com. You can email me at maddog2468@live.com

By Common man

August 20, 2008 6:23 PM | Link to this

If Middletown is going to turn into Youngstown because SunCoke doesn’t hire 75 employees at $50K a year, Middletown is in more trouble than we think. Let’s see, the city gets 1.5% of each SunCoke employee which is about $750 per employee per year. So the city of Middletown will get just over $56,000 per year in city taxes from them. Uhh……is that such a great econimic stimulus? I guess they could pave the roads from SunCoke to I-75 with that money, not much more. Sorry but it’s not worth it

By Common man

August 20, 2008 6:23 PM | Link to this

If Middletown is going to turn into Youngstown because SunCoke doesn’t hire 75 employees at $50K a year, Middletown is in more trouble than we think. Let’s see, the city gets 1.5% of each SunCoke employee which is about $750 per employee per year. So the city of Middletown will get just over $56,000 per year in city taxes from them. Uhh……is that such a great econimic stimulus? I guess they could pave the roads from SunCoke to I-75 with that money, not much more. Sorry but it’s not worth it

By Ray

August 20, 2008 5:58 PM | Link to this

I wonder how many perks and $$$ AK has offered past and present councils or government departments to keep everyone in its corner? Based on this series of postings alone, the citzens’ view has not been represented. Dah…we are talking about government. If government ever listened to the people, hospital beds would be full of cardiac care patients.

By Paul

August 20, 2008 5:54 PM | Link to this

Shameful. This decision is all about making short-term money and has zero regard for long-term health consequences of local inhabitants.

So, yay, another site that will eventually be declared a superfund hazard, never to be cleaned up by AK. How attractive will that be to businesses considering locating in Middletown?

By Paul and Karen Koloszar

August 20, 2008 5:54 PM | Link to this

Shameful. This decision is all about making short-term money and has zero regard for long-term health consequences of local inhabitants.

So, yay, another site that will eventually be declared a superfund hazard, never to be cleaned up by AK. How attractive will that be to businesses considering locating in Middletown?

By Ray

August 20, 2008 5:31 PM | Link to this

AK has done a lot of good for Middletown but at what cost? How many have lost life, health, property value / cleanliness, enjoyment of setting quiet yard??? It’s decades past time for Middletown government to look outside the AK box. Wrong?? Why is every other local city thriving while Middletown flounders? Let’s overhaul our “AK only” council at our first chance!! New business come from inovative ideas and effort. Make some effort!! Need more money bring new business NOT tax hikes!!!!!!

By Hugh

August 20, 2008 4:55 PM | Link to this

Where is Erin Brockovitch?

By Rob

August 20, 2008 4:52 PM | Link to this

Where is Erin Brockovitch?

By Middletown citizen (shameful to say)

August 20, 2008 4:01 PM | Link to this

I think it’s hilarious how Ms. Jones thinks we’re personally attacking her. What would you call putting a coke plant in your neighborhood and just feet from your child’s school? To me, this is the ultimate personal attack. Someone asking if you have a heart just doesn’t compare. She also said she responded to almost 800 emails, but if I recall correctly, I wrote her an email after the first rezoning meeting, and she responded with, “You are entitled to your own opinion” What a response.

By Jena

August 20, 2008 4:00 PM | Link to this

I think it’s hilarious how Ms. Jones thinks we’re personally attacking her. What would you call putting a coke plant in your neighborhood and just feet from your child’s school? To me, this is the ultimate personal attack. Someone asking if you have a heart just doesn’t compare. She also said she responded to almost 800 emails, but if I recall correctly, I wrote her an email after the first rezoning meeting, and she responded with, “You are entitled to your own opinion” What a response.

By Jonathan Doe

August 20, 2008 3:37 PM | Link to this

Middletown needs to pull itself up by its bootstraps and rise above being subservient to AK. Seems there is too much of the attitude that says “well this is my life and I can’t do anything about it so I might as well just let AK have their way…I’ll take health problems for a few jobs”. Such a defeatist attitude, that Council is only reflecting. Look at Monroe. They want something better; to rise above and thrive. Middies: you can do better than this!

By Keith

August 20, 2008 3:32 PM | Link to this

You are absouletly right Middie. Hopefully when there up for reelections they will be ousted. Then maybe Mr. McCoy or Suncoke will hire them.

By Middie

August 20, 2008 3:07 PM | Link to this

They are terrified to have something like this on the ballot. They know what would happen. The people would make them accountable for their actions. They would rather have complete control. Council doesn’t trust the people to vote how “they” want! What a shame. And to all that think AK would leave, if you believe that you are ignorant. Where are they going to build West Chester, not hardly they wouldn’t build a cokeplant next to houses!!!!!!! Ak is full of empty threats!!!!

By Keith

August 20, 2008 2:39 PM | Link to this

Jones said she makes her decisions based on the best interests of the majority of the people of Middletown. If Ms Jones believes this then why not put it on the ballot and lets see if the “MAJORITY” of the people agree?

By Keith

August 20, 2008 2:18 PM | Link to this

Yea I realize that this is a steel town but does that give them the right to continue polluting the air and water? They should be accountable for what they do and what they arent doing.Your commeant on Middletown would shut down if they wasnt here is something that they want you and other’s to believe. There are other steel companys out there that would love to take it over.

By B F Doe

August 20, 2008 2:17 PM | Link to this

What a bunch of idiots, middletown needs more new jobs to bring in local cash spending dollars and tax base. The lasts time I was in town 20 months ago the streets wrer like alleyways the alleys were like old abandoned trails. Geesh the way it sounds you might as well level the old sorg company turn it into a park, that will help tax base just level all the factory buisness. I’d like to invest in a funeral home. Middletown is nearly dead, it does’nt even have a local hospital to help anymore.

By M

August 20, 2008 2:10 PM | Link to this

I like Coke, it mixes good with Crown or Rum. BTW, this has always been s steel town, you’d have to be pretty thick headed to not understand where Middletown would be without AK. Yes, they make make a mess, but AK has been doing it for years. Move if you do not like it.

By John Doe

August 20, 2008 1:56 PM | Link to this

Does anyone know what a Minarchist Libertarian is? They believe in small government, which is not all bad.I think you should explain yourself a little. Or was it to make people look it up? Not a bad idea.

By Keith

August 20, 2008 1:36 PM | Link to this

AGAIN ARE CITY COUNCIL HAS PROVEN TO US THAT THEY HAVE NO BACKBONE.LET AK HAVE WHAT THEY WANT AT ANY COST.THEY HAVE POLLUTED OVER AND OVER AGAIN SO WHY STOP THEM NOW. THEY MAKE THERE PROMISES TO FIX THE PROBLEMS BUT THE PROBLEMS ARE STILL THERE. THEY CANT BUILD ON THERE PROPERTY COS WHERE THERE OLD COKE PLANT IS NOW IS SO POLLUTED IT WOULD COST THEM MILLION’S TO FIX. SO COUNCIL HAS DECIDED TO ALLOW THEM TO POLLUTE SOME MORE LAND AND EFFECT MORE PEOPLE.

By John Doe

August 20, 2008 1:35 PM | Link to this

I still can’t believe how stupid people are. It matters not one iota where you think the plant should be built, or if it should be built. The bottom line is that if AK shuts down the steel mill, Middletown will die, 2000 more unemployed, your property value will go down to rock bottom. Take your choice. If council is so bad why aren’t all of you running for election. You might be able to do better. Ha, ha, ha!!!

By Brett

August 20, 2008 1:23 PM | Link to this

I am a Minarchist Libertarian, & so believe that the role of government, should it have any, is to protect the liberty & property of its citizens. City Manager, Judy Gilleland, has slated Economic Development as Middletown’s #1 priority. This is absurd! If, & that’s “IF,” SunCoke will be littering particulate matter across the properties of citizens, then they will be violating those individuals’ property rights. Period. & government should never favor money at the expense of individual rights!

By Brett

August 20, 2008 1:22 PM | Link to this

I am a Minarchist Libertarian, & so believe that the role of government, should it have any, is to protect the liberty & property of its citizens. City Manager, Judy Gilleland, has slated Economic Development as Middletown’s #1 priority. This is absurd! If, & that’s “IF,” SunCoke will be littering particulate matter across the properties of citizens, then they will be violating those individuals’ property rights. Period. & government should never favor money at the expense of individual rights!

By Lives by AK

August 20, 2008 1:14 PM | Link to this

I live by AK. More local jobs that pay well are important to me. I support Sun Coke.

By worriedmom

August 20, 2008 1:05 PM | Link to this

Didn’t I read/hear that there are other “abandoned” sites that this project could be built on rather than one located right next to Amanda? Are any other parents concerned about their child’s safety? I would not want my children attending a school who’s playground equipment is covered with soot. I understand the 70 new jobs, but do you really think they will go to citizens of Middletown? If you really are concerned AK will leave completely, where do you think they will or could go??

By MadDog

August 20, 2008 11:39 AM | Link to this

The people in Monroe did not move with the intentions of a coke plant coming in that is a fact. Again I will say this is just the start of this fight. The City Council of Middletown does not care about their people they care about their pocketbooks. If one member cannot take any criticism from people then that person should be on council. Yeah I am talking to Ms. Scott Jones.. AK Steel will NOT CLOSE if this plant is not built. Why? AK Steel is raking in billions of dollars of profit a year!

By Deon Sanders(CPM)

August 20, 2008 11:15 AM | Link to this

AK STEEL has been in this city for over 100 years. I am pretty sure you knew this when you bought or rented a home in this city. The new plant is going to be pretty close to the current plant. It should make you happy that with coke being so close there will be less trains holding up traffic. Thats one good thing.

By northside

August 20, 2008 10:58 AM | Link to this

Now fact is any one that knows anything about this area knows that the area around A-K gets their pollution on cars houses etc…simple solution: don’t move to those neighborhoods.

By Middletown Man

August 20, 2008 10:26 AM | Link to this

If the coke plant doesn’t get built, AK will be forced to re-evaluate whether to reinvest in the Middletown Works as its equipment reaches the end of its lifetime. All of you complaining about your property values should consider what your property will be worth if AK closed the Middletown Works. This decision by City Council was not about gaining 70 jobs, it was about keeping over 2,000 jobs. City Council did not make this decision in a vacuum.

By Jack

August 20, 2008 10:20 AM | Link to this

MONROE, YOU LOST, AS SOMEONE SAID BEFORE IN THIS. SHUT THE HELL UP AND MOVE ON TO SOMETHING ELSE.

By Outraged

August 20, 2008 10:12 AM | Link to this

I agree MadDog. That is like comparing Apples and Oranges. I believe Marconi didn’t think that comment through. To say that he is mad at Monroe Council for getting involved is ludacris. It affects Monroe residents and it is obvious that Monroe council actually cares about their residents as Middletown doesn’t and only cares about the $$$. Very disappointing! They are dumping this on the poor of the city and could care less being that not one of them live in that neighborhood! Fight for Amanda!!

By howard

August 20, 2008 9:23 AM | Link to this

I say put it where some of the council lives they don’t want their property values to go down but the area around Amanda is fine for them .I can’t sell my home now to get out of a dying town because of the idiots we have on city council.I retired and had my home redone to suit the needs of my wife and I. We had a nice lawn and enjoyed sitting in the yard in the evening watching the neighborhood kids play and talking with neighbors the new coke plant pollution will make Amanda the new Love Canal.

By Dave

August 20, 2008 9:18 AM | Link to this

I think Monroe should take up arms and start an epic battle with Middletown. Winner builds the coke plant in the losers city. This is by far the best way to end this entire situation once and for all.

By pj

August 20, 2008 9:03 AM | Link to this

Middletown City council told the whole story last night. They do not care about the people of Middletown. The people, they represent, have expressed that they do not what a toxic plant in their town. Does’nt matter your going to get it. All in the name of 70 jobs. Wake up council it will take alot more than 70 jobs to help this town. Look around at Fairfield, West Chester they are thriving as nice healthy cities. A place people want to go. Even AK moved their offices to West Chester.

By MadDog

August 20, 2008 9:00 AM | Link to this

When Mr.Marconi compared Sun Coke to Hustler that was the most naive I have heard from a local politician in sometime. If Mr.Marconi would of thought about that comment for one minute he would know 1. Bristols has been closed for several years and the City of Monroe played a huge hand in closing that down. 2. Hustler was out of the control of Monroe City Council. They were opposed to it. Last but not least we are far from being done with this and we have several more options.

By Shannon

August 20, 2008 8:48 AM | Link to this

We all knew what the outcome of the meeting was going to be last night. Council was just going through the motions. It was very nice to see all the support we have from Middletown and Monroe residents. Don’t let the paper fool you,we still have options to fight this thing. It is far from over. I encourage all to watch the meeting when it is aired on TV Middletown. I am confident that all who watch will be just as outraged as I am at the council. Don’t be afraid to speak out. Ak doesn’t scare me!

By Ron

August 20, 2008 8:25 AM | Link to this

I live by Amanda. Are they going to pay to have my house scrubbed/painted like AK does the people in Oneida? I wonder if any of the residents of the Amanda area will be hired or if they all come from outside the city itself so they make sure that the city of Middletown doesn’t collect but a small portion of the payroll tax? Does anyone know where you apply for a job with them? Hopefully not with a temp agency. But just watch and see, so no benefits.

By me

August 20, 2008 8:21 AM | Link to this

Build your so called “Middletown Mall” up and create jobs in a clean, non-polluted environment! Who wants another polluted business in town? There are already enough breathing problems caused from AK. The houses and cars stay dirty with AK Steel and it will only be worse. If they don’t believe it, come to Whispering Oaks and see the steel on the houses and cars!

By Bill Clevenger

August 20, 2008 8:16 AM | Link to this

Why didn’t Middletown put the coke plant up on hospital hill? Plenty of empty land there.

By John Doe

August 20, 2008 8:12 AM | Link to this

I wish Monroe would shut up. If it was going to be built in Monroe, they would be all for it. A case of a small city thinking that they are the greatest thing going. If AK blows up, there will be NO Middletown!!! Maybe we could all move to Monroe or let them annex us. Then they would have more problems, which they seem to thrive on.

By Sean R

August 20, 2008 7:58 AM | Link to this

It will be a great day when AK steel either blows up or shuts down.Then we can have our city back.But who the heck is gonna want it?I recently moved to Engels corner, right next to Dix Creek.It is such a shame and a CRIME that I cant even take my dogs down to the creek to play and swim.Why?You ask.Because AK steel has dumped waste into it for so long,that it is permanently toxic now.And what about the Great Miami River where Dix Creek emties into? The City of Middletown dosent care!!!

By John Doe

August 20, 2008 7:45 AM | Link to this

BUILD THE THING SO EVERYTHING WILL SHUT UP

By VietVet

August 20, 2008 7:25 AM | Link to this

Lisa- Thanks for the info. Several months ago, when Perry Thatcher did the infamous white glove test saying that the plant that they visited was very clean, gave the impression that this operation was going to be very clean in comparison with the current ovens at AK. How do your numbers stack up against the current AK operation and is it any cleaner? If not, then the hotshots( Thatcher and crew) in Middletown lied again. Imagine that! Is the tradeoff worth it- more pollution for more jobs?

By Lisa Frye

August 20, 2008 7:10 AM | Link to this

The facts on what this proposed facility will produce in tons per year (just a few of them): SO2(sulfer dioxide)-1584.75; Nitrogen oxide-483.67; Particulte matter 2.5 microns or less-114.05; Hydrochloric acid(HCI)-121; Carbon Monoxide-129.49; etc…The mercury permit won’t even be issued until a year after the plant is up and running as the EPA states “No mercury emission limit has been established yet for the main stack because of the uncertainties associated with the expected emissions…”

By CMS

August 20, 2008 7:07 AM | Link to this

What shocks and disgusts me the most about this entire process is the fact that Middletown City Schools apparently has no interest in what is best for it’s students, those in particular at Amanda Elementary School. Is the school system that afraid of AK? Doesn’t make sense.

By VietVet

August 20, 2008 6:55 AM | Link to this

Tough subject to deal with. You would like to see 75 jobs at $50,000+ come to Middletown. Everyone agrees that this town in starved for decent paying jobs. On the other side, we have the folks who are rightfully concerned for their property value and the air and ground pollution that this plant (may) (will) cause. I’m still not clear as to how much pollution this will produce. I’ve heard conflicting stories. Does anyone have the facts on the pollution issues? Predictable 6-0 vote from council.