Smoke and Mirrors hits shelves

In recent months there has been a lot of focus on Bechtel Energy bringing a power plant to Renovo. Maureen A. Ruhl, a local activist and author, has documented her journey over the last six months and released a book titled, 'Smoke and Mirrors,' book one of a three-part series. 

Ruhl documents a town is split down the middle on those who are for and against the power plant. Many see the power plant as a way for the small despairing town to get back on its feet, while others see the hidden risk factors and what life in a power plant town would consist of.  

While running for Renovo Borough Council, Ruhl was approached by concerned citizens about the power plant being centered in the middle of town, but their concerns were much deeper. Not only would the townsmen and women be forced to endure a power plant centered in the middle of town, but also the other health and risk factors. 

Ruhl was undecided where she stood on the topic so she decided to do some research by visiting other small towns that were centered around power plants, but what she didn't anticipate was the number of people in those towns that were suffering from the long-term effects of the power plant and the behind the scenes etiquette of small-town politics and corruption.

Ruhl, her husband John, and two unnamed women visited three surrounding power plant towns in Shamokin Dam, Montgomery, and Jessup, Pennsylvania. It became very clear that the power plant would not bring the town prosperity but only financially benefit the landowners and the 49 investors who lost money off a bad investment with Renovo Rail. 

As the situation manifested, Ruhl dug even further into the chaos. 

Through her investigation, she has endured attacks by the pro-power plant followers, including verbal public attacks, attacks on social media platforms, and newspaper platforms by biased parties, but that has not stopped her. Through her eyes, the situation reeks of desperation and one last effort for the landowners to sell the property and investors to recuperate lost revenue. She believes, the power plant promises are distortions of truth based on federal minimum requirements to mislead the community. 

Ruhl is a former banker and businesswoman from Lebanon County but relocated to the Renovo area 16 years ago after she and her husband retired. Smoke and Mirrors is available in paperback and ebook formats at Amazon.com, Lulu.com, and other fine online and brick-and-mortar stores. 

Amazon and Lulu 

Ruhl Remains Optimistic

 

With the local election less than two weeks away, Renovo Borough Council hopeful Maureen Ruhl is optimistic. Ruhl ran a write-in campaign for Renovo Borough Council in the May 18 primary election. Two weeks later she learned it was official, she would be on the ballot in November.  

Ruhl is well known in the community as someone who speaks her mind. Prior to Ruhl’s decision to run for a seat on the council, several area residents came to her voicing their concerns over the lack of police protection and Renovo Borough Council holding private meetings. Concerned citizens speculated those meetings withheld vital information regarding Bechtel Energy bringing a gas power plant to Renovo.

Ruhl said, “I’m tired of the shroud of mystery in our community. A few people know what’s going on, while the rest of us are left in the dark.”

Ruhl believes taxpayers have the right to know what’s happening within their own community. Withholding information creates a breach of trust. Once trust is lost, it creates great doubt as to whom is looking out for the best interest of the community. Ruhl strongly believes Council should be made up of various individuals within a community, not one family.

Several questions arose after Ruhl and her husband, John, attended a monthly meeting.  The couple found it odd that the Renovo Borough Council never voted on Bechtel Energy coming to town.

Ruhl believes instead of meeting the demands of a disenfranchised community needing enhanced health services, drug programs, rehabilitation services, small manufacturing for entry-level employment, Renovo Borough Council has systemically made improvements to pave the way for Bechtel Energy.

Ruhl said, ‘Since when are grants and tax dollars spent on improvements directly enhancing a billion-dollar business to come to town? A new water pump station, new water lines laid on 4th and 9th Streets to access the proposed Bechtel Energy plant to and from the river.’

Whispers echo within the community over the potential power plant sites delinquent taxes, police patrolling the grounds, and maintaining the grounds all on the taxpayer’s dime.

Ruhl said, ‘If I do not pay my property taxes for two years my property goes to sheriff’s sale and is sold! Taxes on the old railroad property have gone unpaid but never went to sheriff’s sale. Why?

Many people in the community see the power plant as a lifeline for Renovo. The promise of jobs, taxes revenue, and security to revive a little town basically on life support, but Ruhl sees it differently after visiting several power plants. She states, there’s a big misconception about these power plants. They do not hire locals for the construction. They usually employ Union workers which greatly reduces the chances for anyone local obtaining employment. The taxes are also questionable since a large majority of the plant is not taxable as real estate. It falls under the category of equipment and it will be considered exempt. They pay minimal taxes and can also apply for tax credits for KOZ. These monstrosities benefit Bechtel Energy, not the people of Renovo. 

With most residents living within one to two football fields of the power plant. There are a lot of concerns most people are overlooking from the outside massive visual impact, the constant noise, pollution, mild-to-severe birth defects, chronic diseases, and the other risk factors that if the hospital, ambulance, police, and fire companies are prepared to handle an emergency situation or massive destruction.

The Elect hopeful believes this election is a way for Renovo residents to take back their town and once again have a voice by casting their vote for Ruhl on November 2. 

If elected, Ruhl plans to have an open communication system with the community. Taxpayers can come to her with their questions and concerns. She promises to be open and honest at all times and committed to addressing the community’s concerns and needs.

Ruhl is now retired but she is a former banker, businesswoman, child advocate, and author of Frozen Tears. She donates her time to various organizations and charities in the community. She is dedicated to making a difference in hopes of creating a better tomorrow for future generations to come.

By: Donna Kshir

#Renovo #Pennsylvania #donnakshir #maureenruhl #elect #election #BechtalEnergy #powerplant

Non-Profit seeks assistance for Christmas program

Founder and President Donna Kshir and Founder and CEO Lee Roberts, holiday meals, Christmas stockings, and gift opening.

With Christmas right around the corner Advocates United for Humanity, a small grassroots tax-exempt organization based in North Bend, is asking the community to show their support.

Each year, AU4H Ambassadors seek donations for their Secret Santa Program. The Secret Santa Program provides large Christmas Stockings and age-appropriate gifts for children and gives those children a Christmas they otherwise would not have. AU4H also provides special holiday meals for those sponsored families.

Some of these families are in safe houses having fled domestic violence and abusive situations, others are families experiencing hardship due to the economy and current Covid pandemic. The idea that any child wakes up Christmas morning to an empty tree is heartbreaking.

For the last 5 years AU4H has done its best to provide children with the Christmas they deserve but sadly due to the Covid pandemic, the small grassroots organization's funding fell through and left them unable to help these families. With over 50 children on a waiting list, the 'Holiday Smiles' coordinators Lee Roberts and Sky Coover decided to seek donations from the community.

Anyone wanting to make a donation for toys or a holiday meal can contact Lee Roberts at au4h@yahoo.com, or mail their donation directly to AU4H, 164 General Delivery, North Bend, PA 17760.

Advocates United for Humanity was founded on June 8, 2016, by bestselling authors and sister advocates Donna M. Kshir and Lee Roberts. These leading ladies have volunteered their time and talents with various non-profit organizations over their lifetime including animal rights, volunteered at their children’s schools, in youth groups, and give themselves as much as they can, as their health allows.

Both women are highly respected activists using their voice for Conner’s Law — Kentucky, receiving a Letter of Recommendation from Conner’s mother Mashanna Bachuss, uniting with Erin’s Law, Animal Rescue and Rights, Children’s Rights, Missing and Unidentified Persons, the Homeless, Domestic Violence, Writing and Publishing Books, Educational Radio Broadcasts (radio personalities and the creators of AU4H Radio), and the Deaf Community. Currently, these leading ladies are collecting signatures to make the current Central Registry open to the public to reduce the number of children affected by child abuse.

For more information on the Holiday Smiles Secret Santa Program, to become an ambassador or sponsor, visit AU4H’s official website www.au4h.weebly.com.

#au4h #au4hradio #secretsanta #donnakshir #leeroberts #christmas #giftgiving #holidaysmiles 

Website: Advocates United for Humanity

Facebook: Advocates United for Humanity

Instagram: @au4h1

Twitter: @au4h1

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AU4H RADIO Season One Highlights

I want to thank everyone who has supported us. Whether you watched us on YouTube, listened to our podcasts or shared our materials. Without you, none of this would be possible and we wouldn't be gearing up for Season Two! Happy Radio Day!!

Season One highlights of ‘Real Talk’ on AU4H RADIO featuring radio personalities Donna Kshir, Lee Roberts and Laurie Ann Smith. Donna, Lee and Laurie have been best friends, sister advocates and have been hosting online radio shows for many years and have been guests in multiple shows sharing their knowledge, experiences, educating the public and creating awareness on a myriad of topics. Podcasts are available in iHeartRadio, Google Podcasts, iTunes, Spotify, Sound Cloud, Anchor, and other broadcasting formats #au4h #au4hradio #realtalk #donnakshir #leeroberts #laurieannsmith #podcasts #radio