What are Democrats thinking!?!
In a Pennsylvania community, tensions are running high as reports surface about the potential housing of up to 1,000 migrants in a historic building that was last used as a summer camp. This Civil War-era orphanage, located in Scotland just outside Gettysburg, has stirred significant concern among local residents.
The property, which is owned by an LLC based in Lakewood, New Jersey, has recently been the subject of a request from USA Up Star, an Indiana-based disaster response organization. The organization aims to repurpose the building to provide shelter for refugee families. However, Greene Township officials have raised objections, citing a letter from the township’s zoning officer, Daniel Bachman. According to Bachman, the building’s current zoning classification, R-1, is designated for low-density residential use, and higher-density accommodations such as those proposed by USA Up Star would not be permissible.
Bachman also noted that the organization has the option to appeal his decision. In response to inquiries from Fox News Digital, USA Up Star confirmed that it is in discussions with the federal government regarding the project and is seeking additional zoning information from Greene Township.
State Senator Doug Mastriano, a Republican from Gettysburg and the 2022 GOP gubernatorial candidate, has expressed deep concern over the situation. He pointed out that recent developments include the installation of a wooden fence around the property and clarified that while there is confusion about the building’s use, migrant minors are not yet being housed there.
Mastriano emphasized that if the plan moves forward, there are potential avenues to block it, including concerns about the proximity of the Letterkenny Army Depot, a sensitive national security site near the property. He argues that the influx of migrants could disrupt the local community, which has a population of approximately 1,300.
Local officials, including Greene Township Supervisor Shawn Corwell and state legislators Mastriano and Representative Rob Kauffman, have publicly supported a strict interpretation of the zoning laws and engaged with federal representatives to prevent the project. They have also communicated their concerns to Congressman John Joyce, who is working to ensure that federal funds are not allocated for this purpose.
In a recent statement, Franklin County Commissioners highlighted the community’s worries about the impact of such a large influx of new residents on the already strained housing market and county services. They noted that both the state and county governments lack jurisdiction over this issue, adding to the frustration felt by local residents.
Mastriano attributed the controversy to the broader issue of an open southern border, suggesting that such situations are a direct consequence of lax federal immigration policies. He pointed to previous incidents involving migrant flights under the Biden administration as further evidence of the federal government’s disregard for local concerns.