MiddletownJournal.com

Middletown City Council cannot consider confirming the city Planning Commission's recommendation to rezone 157 acres from residential to industrial until its May 6 meeting.

However, the city has received requests from James Wainscott, president, CEO and chairman of AK Steel Corp., Michael J. Thomson, executive vice president and CEO of SunCoke Energy, and D. Scott Rich, president of Local Lodge 1943 of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, that council confirm the commission's recommendation as an emergency measure so that it takes immediate effect upon passage.

Wainscott said delays in the zoning and construction of the project would seriously impact the project as well as jeopardize the proposed plant's eligibility to receive federal tax credits for alternate energy sources by a December 2009 deadline.

He also noted that AK's current contract covering its coke shortfall also expires in 2009.

"For the security of the 2,100 Middletown Works jobs, and the economic health of the Middletown region, I respectfully urge City Council to exercise its authority to consider and pass the necessary zoning change legislation by emergency measure," Wainscott wrote.

Council is expected to discuss whether to make the legislation an emergency measure during its work session on Tuesday, April 15.

Opposition to the plant is also heating up.

Robert Snook, a Lemon Twp. trustee and former AK Steel coke plant superintendent, sent a letter to Monroe City Council urging the authorization of the city manager to take all legal action possible to stop the coke plant construction.

Snook also asked Monroe council to hold a public meeting inviting Wainscott and SunCoke officials to answer questions as to how they are going to protect the property values and quality of living of the Monroe residents living adjacent and nearby the land to be rezoned.

Snook also pointed out that the Lemon Twp. trustees cannot formally oppose the matter as two of the three current trustees are employed by AK Steel.

Frank Schiavone, an vocal opponent of the project's location, said he and others are continuing to explore various legal and other options. Schiavone has said he is not against the project, just the location, which will be fewer than 1,000 feet from his home on Ohio 4.

Some pothole claims have been paid

While Middletown's law department has said the city has some immunity from damage claims as a result of potholes, it has also said it's up to the city's insurance carrier whether to pay on claims submitted by motorists.

As of last week, there have been 135 claims filed with the city's finance department over damage to vehicles from motorists hitting potholes.

However, also as of last week, there have been 22 claims approved by the city's insurance carrier for the damages that have ranged from $250 to $500.

Contact this reporter at (513) 705-2871 or erichter@coxohio.com.

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