By John F. Reinhart

No one in the Slate Belt really cares about the science of Synagro's proposed project to transform human waste to fertilizer.

This is not a reflection of our disinterest in science or economic development. This is not a reflection of an ignorant community.

The people in the Slate Belt have a simple message: No one wants any more waste brought to the Slate Belt. This should be heard loudly and clearly before this project moves any further.

We don't care about the process, nor do we care about the 16 jobs that Synagro claims will be created through it. They need to find another location for their business. I am sure there might be another community between the Slate Belt and Baltimore that would not object to human waste being trucked into their neighborhood and processed in the community and be thrilled with 16 job that it creates.

Green Knight Economic Development Corp. is off base on this one. None of the people in the Slate Belt want this kind of project here. We are not fools. Green Knight needs to forget this idea before it ignites a huge backlash to its mission of "support of public services."

This project will destroy Green Knight's reputation and the partnerships it has built in our area, and that would be a terrible shame. This is not what anyone thought that the company would consider as economic development in this region. Personally, had I known that the Green Knight board would be supporting such ideas, I would have spoken against its creation in this area years ago.

My understanding is that Green Knight would support smart, clean growth of businesses and help to enhance the future quality of life in this region of the country. Its support of the YMCA is a perfect example of that mission.

Continued support of this project will destroy the faith that people have placed in Green Knight and its desire to enhance our community, and it will cause your neighbors and friends to be more visible and vocal against the organization -- and that would be a terrible shame.

My neighbors and friends are proud residents of the Slate Belt. Many of us have lived here for generations. We are not interested in this project and we do not want it here. No more informational meetings are necessary, or desired by any of us.

John Reinhart, of Pen Argyl, is superintendent of the Easton Area School District  and a former superintendent of the Bangor Area School District.

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