Community watching Penn State
Nittany Valley Water Coalition was evicted from the Whitehall Road occupation site several weeks ago. At the request of Penn State, police cars came by and impounded tents and other belongings. Shortly after, an announcement was made that Penn State intended to plant winter wheat at the location.
The actions beg the question, why evict? If the coalition had been informed that winter wheat was going to be planted there, they would have happily left voluntarily. The only reason could be so that Penn State could show them who the boss was.
The coalition members are cautiously happy to see winter wheat going in, which hopefully means a break to the overworked members. However, members are carefully watching every move by Penn State and Toll brothers. They are worried that should they let their guard down, a change of heart and some compensation to farmers is all that it would take for Penn State and Toll Brothers to break ground for the development. Unlike the coalition, Penn State and Toll Brothers have deep pockets. Paying compensation to the farmers would be chump change to them.
Penn State can show a true change of heart only by asking Ferguson Township to rezone the land back to agricultural. Any other action is just a diversion tactic. The community is watching.
Smita Bharti, State College
This story was originally published October 23, 2017 at 8:46 PM with the headline "Community watching Penn State."