DONORA - NO METH CLINIC

DONORA - After listening to the proponents of a proposed methadone
treatment center and the residents who oppose it, borough council came
out against the concept.

And the borough leaders are going to take steps to ensure the proposed
center is not developed in Donora.

At its public meeting Thursday, council announced it wants to work
with Middle-Monongahela Industrial Development Association to keep
anyone from buying property inside the agency's industrial park for
use as a methadone clinic. Further, council will send, by Nov. 15, a
letter to MIDA outlining its stand against the proposed center.

Council Vice President Tom Kostolansky, chairing the meeting in place
of President Dr. Karen Polkabla, opened the discussion on the
methadone center by saying council allowed the methadone clinic
developers to pitch its plan last month.

He added that council allowed the proponents and borough residents to
address the issue at a subsequent public hearing.

Kostolansky then called for his colleague's opinions. Council members
were unanimously against the center with Councilwoman Marie Trozzo
suggesting the joint borough-MIDA plan.

Trozzo, who at the public hearing suggested one of the center's
backers to build the center near his home in Venetia, noted last
night, "None of these people live in Donora, but they want to build it
here."

Councilman Jason Menendez said borough leaders are trying to "redefine
Donora" and that allowing a methadone treatment center to come into
the community would not help efforts to attract businesses. Menendez
added that residents who oppose the proposal are circulating a
petition door-to-door.

"From what I understand there are over 400 signatures on the
petition," Menendez said.

Trozzo added that the opponents should make sure that the petition is
delivered to the borough building before Nov. 15 so that it can be
included with the borough's letter to MIDA.