by John Beagle

Yes, that's me in the front row with the US Flag tie. I'm in Monroe Council Chambers watching fellow Monroe residents fight one another. I live in Monroe and own a business in Middletown. The SunCoke plant has been a hotbed of controversy for quite awhile.

Discussion: SunCoke Plant - Commission Vote March 26, 2008

Union
Union members who also resided in Monroe spoke to council about the pain they were suffering this Christmas due to Monroe killing good jobs. That was the general sentiment from everyone on the left side of the room.

Homeowners
On the right side sat Monroe homeowners whose property were being devalued, polluted and would be made unfit to live if the SunCoke plant came to fruition.

Monroe Council Chambers was packed to maximum capacity, 60 people. In the foreground is Ed Richter and Denise Wilson of the Middletown Journal. About 90 people were outside wanting to hear.

According to Mr. Richter, 23 people in all spoke. Noteworthy comments came from Lisa Frye, president of SunCoke Watch and  Mark Chaney in opposition of the plant, Alan McCoy of AK Steel and Fred Hubbard in favor of the plant. You can read recent comments on Main Street Monroe's The Voice here and here.

Monroe Mayor Routsen (photo: middle) spoke on behalf on council. He said that council was firmly opposed to the location and would not back down from that position. His position was further supported with a motion from Bob Kelley. (photo: right) He suggested that Monroe Council end its membership with the Middletown Chamber of Commerce because of Chamber President Bill Triick's editorial in support of the SunCoke plant. Council voted unanimously to end the city's relationship with The Chamber of Commerce.