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SunCoke vote pits vice mayor against city, family

Councilman supports the facility, while the mother of his grandchildren leads a group that opposes it.

Middletown Vice Mayor Jim Armbruster delivers a proclamation April 24, 2009, during an Arbor Day observance at Sunset Park in Middletown.

Contributed photo by Jessica Uttinger Middletown Vice Mayor Jim Armbruster delivers a proclamation April 24, 2009, during an Arbor Day observance at Sunset Park in Middletown.

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Lisa Frye of Monroe reaches for a stack of signed petitions in opposition to the proposed SunCoke Energy coke plant as she voices her concerns about it at the Middletown City Council meeting Aug. 19, 2008, in Middletown.

Staff photo by Nick Graham Lisa Frye of Monroe reaches for a stack of signed petitions in opposition to the proposed SunCoke Energy coke plant as she voices her concerns about it at the Middletown City Council meeting Aug. 19, 2008, in Middletown.

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MIDDLETOWN — Jim Armbruster the grandfather and Jim Armbruster the Middletown City Councilman had to settle an inner-self battle.

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Dont think I read that SHE turned her kids against the vice mayor. If anything he done that on his own. This wouldnt have even hit the AK JOURNAL if it wasnt election year.

Keith
7:40 AM, 5/4/2009

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Can't give this woman any credit for turning her childern against their grandfather over something like this or anything else. He was elected to do a job, as was the same for the Monroe council. She has no business being this way towards him, the only reason she is, is because her X is an Armbruster. I was against the coke plant but will now sigh the savebutlercounty.org petition because of this article.

Niederlander Lane also
12:11 AM, 5/4/2009

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Why doesn't the Journal do a story on the council member who worked at the coke plant for years and crossed the picket line of his constituents while they were locked out. That person did not seem to be to worried about health issues when it came down to "DIRTY MONEY", or sticking by his locked out constituents. He took the money!

Hornet
8:34 PM, 5/3/2009

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Poor Jim!! What a guy!!! Fighting such inner battles, yet choosing the good of our city over even his very own grandchildren!

It’s hard to imagine such dedication to public service. If this were an election year, I’d say that this was just campaign B. S.

Groucho
6:54 PM, 5/3/2009

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Isn't The Clean Air Act for every City to comply with? It's a Federal Law and people's right to cleaner air. I appreciate Monroe's stance for EVERYONE in the area. Quit fighting and follow the rules. I do not feel sorry for AK or the BIG OIL Company.

Voice
6:51 PM, 5/3/2009

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It is a shame that something like this is tearing people apart. I support the Suncoke plant being built, it will keep Middletown alive and it will create more employment opportunities. Otherwise consider Middletown and the towns around it a ghost town, because all will be lost if AK goes down. So what do you think your property value will be then?

Mary
4:06 PM, 5/3/2009

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I for one think that Monroe is just against change. They fight every industry. What kind of jobs do you think will be there for your kids when they are of age. My husband grew up around the factory and he is healthy. Get over yourselves. Its not like there are alot of good paying jobs left in the area. We moved from the area because of the job situation. This will cause loss of tax monies and comunity monies without the plant. I say Go Mr Armbruster.

Kattie
11:48 AM, 5/3/2009

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It's not about her childrens health. Just how far away from the little ones home is an exisiting coke plant, blast furnace, annealing furnaces? That steel mill was there when she and the rest of the Monroe residents bought there homes, and it's a few hundred YARDS away from where the new coke plant will go.

pat
10:01 AM, 5/3/2009

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News Flash Karla unless kids have a family buisness here they want to run kids are not staying in Middletown, Monroe, etc.

Ike
9:52 AM, 5/3/2009

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Sounds like it's all about Lisa- her statements-" would harm her family"-"reduce the value of her property"- Ms. Frye, tend to your own business and leave other people alone. Midd. has been left devastated by the city leaders including Grandpa Armbuster. We need decent paying jobs here. We have bigger problems than those between you and your ex-family. Keep your personal business to yourself.

VietVet
8:01 AM, 5/3/2009

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For someone who wants the best for her kids, she sure is not thinking about thier future. With all the factories shutting down and all the other jobs that are being lost, where does she think the economy will be when her children need a job? Read the obit's people in our area are living well into thier 70s, 80s and 90s. They have been breathing this air for a long time! No coke plant, no casino whats next? Is Monroe going to try and stop us from grilling out in our backyards?

Karla
7:14 AM, 5/3/2009

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