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Pocono News Section
Prayer Versus Porn in the Poconos
Prayer Versus Porn in the Poconos - Wednesday, May 5, 2010 at 04:01AM EST
Reported by: Laurie Monteforte
Wednesday May 05 2010
MIDDLE SMITHFIELD TOWNSHIP, MONROE COUNTY - Middle Smithfield Township proposed a rule that would expand regions where adult businesses are allowed but decrease regions where churches are allowed.
Jeff Brower is the Pastor of Middle Smithfield Presbyterian Church. He said, "This is wrong. Just wrong."
He was upset because the proposed ordinance would ban any new church construction along Route 209. It would also limit church expansions to 25% of their current size. Brower reacted,"Well. I hope to do better than that with the church. The church wants to grow more than that."
At one point the meeting got so contentious a resident who argued with a supervisor was escorted out. He was later allowed back in.
Supervisors explained they had nothing against churches on a main road. Supervisor Chairman Scott Schaller said, "Nobody is trying to demonize churches we're just simply trying to preserve our commercial property for tax ratables."
The pastor argued churches deliver valuable community services. He explained, "We're not getting any services in this area to help homeowners who are about to lose their house. Churches do that. We don't have any government soup kitchens in this area. Churches do that."
In the end the churches won. The township decided to allow them in any area of the township without those expansion restrictions.
Schaller explained why he changed his mind. He said, "Nobody's gonna demonize me and say I'm anti-religion. I'm opposed to the move I made but I changed my mind and now it's going to be permitted but I don't think it's the proper thing to do."
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