for the record: Drilling machine at Holtzman construction site causes 10-hour power outage in Strasburg

https://www.nvdaily.com/nvdaily/drilling-machine-at-construction-site-causes-10-hour-power-outage-in-strasburg/article_a845d2d4-17d4-54cc-807f-031eb6930777.html 

"Mumaw said Phillips Construction, the contractor working at the site, is responsible for the incident and is handling the response.

“They are taking care of everything. They are doing the work there, and they are responsible for that. We talked to them last night twice, and they pretty well have it covered,” he said.

Describing the event as a “freak accident,” Mumaw said Phillips Construction’s safety department is involved in addressing the issue.

The Holtzman site has been under early-stage development since at least December. A December public records request indicated that the company has filed an erosion and sediment control plan covering 40 acres, but no formal site plan has been submitted. Holtzman Corp. has not publicly disclosed details about its plans for the project."

Town council, if you approve the water line extension under I-81, how many more "freak accidents" will occur during and after construction of this ill-conceived project?

Also, have you considered the ramifications of the proposed water main extension on future development that will occur north of I-81? Have you considered that the future unwanted tacky development will be on YOU? 

People of Strasburg, brace for impact.

adults in the room?

https://www.nvdaily.com/nvdaily/strasburg-council-oks-budget-moves-forward-on-borden-mowery-drive-extension/article_4e7069db-6c23-53ab-b864-bfc2d33cf13b.html 

"I just want to reiterate that we have a lot of CIP in this budget," council member Brad Stover said. "I don't personally know how we could do any better as far as getting the needs of the town met."

check

"I think as a safety issue, we have accidents every week on [Interstate] 81, usually involving tractor-trailers," council member Emily McCoryn said. "I would hate to see those become even more deadly."

"I'd like to see the other side of the argument," council member A.D. Carter added in. "I'm not saying that I'm for or against, but for us to be fair and balanced, I probably need to take more time to delve into the why or what."

double check

"This has been a long time coming," Town Manager Waverly Coggsdale said. "We're very excited to get this project going."

no

"Let's get this project going. Let's break ground," Mayor Brandy Hawkins Boies said. "Can we have a little shovel party out there? That would be fantastic."

no

3 yes, 2 no. 

Aggrandizement and patting oneself on the back are contrary to the behavior of responsible adults. ( https://www.vocabulary.com/dictionary/aggrandizement )

Holtzman property

https://www.nvdaily.com/nvdaily/proposed-holtzman-truck-stop-raises-questions-and-concerns-at-strasburg-town-council-meeting/article_31f9bffa-7a4d-5a2b-b1c8-8031d2e62e44.html

"Resident Kasey Shetenhelm urged the town to account for long-term climate trends.

“I just really want [my son] to grow up in an environment that’s well looked after,” Shetenhelm said before quoting data she said she attained from Zillow. “Right now we have seven days on average above 90 degrees. In 15 years that’s going to be 12. Are we taking those things into consideration?”

Two nearby residents gave emotional public comments, criticizing the developer’s conduct and citing past damage and disruptions.

“I’ve heard rocks. I’ve heard banging for months,” said Annie Pangle. “All I’m hearing is a giant sucking sound. How much money does one man need?”

Pangle, who has lived across from the site for 40 years, said the development has brought traffic and hardship.

“All the traffic — nobody, he didn’t say nothing about all the traffic. It already kills the animals. I mean, what’s going to happen? Just more heartache.”

Christy Renner said blasting near the site damaged her home before proper tests were done.

“They blasted seven times before they actually did a tester,” she said. “They broke three windows. I have an open case with the fire department.”

She said she tried for two years to contact Holtzman and his construction team before receiving no-trespassing papers. Holtzman stated those papers came from the fire marshal's office and not himself.

Former council member Don Levine warned that extending utilities across I-81 could set a lasting precedent.

“It’s not in town,” Levine said. “We get a little bit of money from the water. We get nothing from the taxes. Think of the long-term impact and the precedent you set.”

In closing remarks, Holtzman lightly pushed back.

“When you’re thinking about how you’re going to treat us, remember we’ve been good to you too,” he said."

Where have we heard this before? 

answer: the Cedar Spring truck stop diagonally across the I-81 interchange. 

The council ignored the comments of Cedar Spring residents. 

https://strasburgunderground.blogspot.com/2024/07/pa-gas-station-is-comin.html

What would make anyone believe that the council won't ignore these comments too?

deja vu.

Mayor Brandy Hawkins Boise has some explaining to do

https://www.nvdaily.com/nvdaily/free-four-month-program-offers-behind-the-scenes-look-at-strasburg-government/article_f16276b6-77b4-55e8-adb3-0ed0924cd4a2.html

“The goal is to give participants a real behind-the-scenes look — like how wastewater is cleaned and returned to the river in better condition than it came in... (Mayor Brandy Hawkins Boies) said."

Mayor, are you saying that the river isn't polluted? If so, then explain this:

North Fork Shenandoah River at Strasburg Park public boat landing in Shenandoah County VA. E. coli levels on Wednesday June 22 versus Thursday June 23, 2022.

source:  FSSP NF Shenandoah River E. coli levels on Wednesday June 22 versus Thursday Jun 23 - FOSR - FOSR  

Mayor, FYI people swim and fish in the river. What about all of the algae alerts that VDH issues for the river in Strasburg? Don't mislead the public. The fact is that the river is polluted. 

We keep more than a month's supply of bottled drinking water on hand. Why? 

1. Imagine what would happen if the mayor's claim that "the wastewater is cleaned and returned to the river in better condition than it came in" isn't true.
2. Suppose the person who adds all those chemicals to the polluted water is incompetent. 
3. Suppose the person adding all those chemicals to the polluted water makes a mistake.
4. Suppose the person adding all those chemicals to the polluted water becomes disgruntled.
5. What happens if the person who orders all those chemicals that are added to the polluted water drops the ball and the cupboard is bare? 
6. Suppose that there's an equipment malfunction. Who would know? How would the situation be handled? By whom? Would residents, businesses and visitors be IMMEDIATELY notified? 
7. Who monitors EVERY time--24/7--that chemicals that are added to the polluted water are added CORRECTLY, COMPETENTLY and RELIABLY? EACH time, EVERY time, ALL of the time? VDH? I doubt it.
8. What happens if Food Lion runs out of bottled drinking water?

We've seen enough of the town's incompetency, mistakes, poor judgement and failure to notify citizens on important matters in a timely manner to cause us to question the town's competency, honesty and reliability--including the mayor's statement on the quality of the town's drinking water. Actions speak louder than words. If ANY of the above happens, it will result in a MAJOR health disaster for the town's residents, businesses and visitors. 

We prefer to be safe, instead of sorry--or worse.

more on river pollution: 

Riverkeeper Mark Frondorf talks about a New York Times article linking PFAS (called “forever chemicals”) and biosolids, which make their way to Virginia farmlands.

https://theriver953.com/river-report-5-12-25/