There is a proposal before the Forward Township supervisors to build a massive data center in their district. The proposal is to build the center on farmland along the Connoquenessing Creek. There are several issues that need to be discussed and considered before approving the proposal:

1. The data center installation, where proposed, would force home and land values down.

2. The center would greatly increase the traffic on already crowded two-lane roads.

3. Environmental damage to a scenic area where George Washington once traversed.

4. Environmental pollution and irreparable harm to this scenic area where eagles, otters and deer make their homes.

5. Last but not least, it makes our area vulnerable to terrorist activities against the center, endangering the lives of the citizens who live in the area. I feel this is true of all data centers.

Meetings have been scheduled and postponed because of the hundreds of concerned citizens, the vast majority of whom are strongly opposed to the center.

The Forward Township supervisors and officials need to be reminded that they work for the people who elected them and pay their salaries. That goes for all government officials.

There is no shortage or abandoned mills and closed construction sites that would be ideal for data centers. Let them build them there instead of ruining the tranquility of our rural areas.

Gary Neely,

Evans City