Posted on 10/21/2003 9:49:15 PM PDT by Born Conservative
T.J. Maxx's KOZ eyed Remove business from tax-break program, says Pittston Township supervisor Anthony Attardo. By KIMBERLY JAMES Times Leader Correspondent
PULL QOUTE: "People are making it a racist issue. We're finding racial slurs on telephone poles around here now." Michael Kotter, a shop steward at T.J. Maxx
PITTSTON TWP. - If T.J. Maxx won't keep its promise, neither will Pittston Township, according to Supervisor Anthony Attardo.
"They received state grants, free taxes. The township gave them free taxes, and as far as I know, they aren't hiring people from Northeastern Pennsylvania," said Attardo said Monday at a township meeting.
The Board of Supervisors thinks the township should do everything possible to take the Keystone Opportunity Zone program away from T.J. Maxx, Attardo said.
"We don't have a problem with who they hire, but the promise that was made to this board, in our reciprocation for giving them free KOZ program was, pay $10 an hour to employees, medical after 90 days, and we're in business," said Attardo. "Guess what, it didn't happen, and they are full of broken promises."
But, Solicitor Sean McDonough explained that trying to establish conditions to what is a state-sponsored program is something the township can't do.
UNITE union representatives were present to defend their workers and asked township police to stop "profiling" their employees.
"You have stopped our membership, you've harassed anyone who appears to be Hispanic. They are being profiled," said Marion Nalaschi of the union. "Shame on your police force; you're a disgrace."
Attardo said T.J. Maxx has already declared 274 employees were in fact illegal aliens, which was corroborated through the federal Immigration and Naturalization Service.
"People are making it a racist issue. We're finding racial slurs on telephone poles around here now," said Michael Kotter, a shop steward at T.J. Maxx who stood before the board.
"I can tell you this isn't an issue with racism. This is an issue with disappointment and mistrust," said Attardo.
Deacon John Reardon, C.S.C., head of the Hispanic Outreach program at King's College, said the township should fight the company, not the employees.
"There are people stepping in with uglier agendas. I ask you to not scare the workers who are there," said Reardon. "Please don't do anything to encourage those people out there with those uglier agendas."
The crowd applauded Attardo after he complained about the poverty in the area and said his interest lies in supporting his community and employing residents of his community.
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