Borough Council Passes Voter ID Resolution in 5-2 Vote

Peter Morris never imagined himself voting against his own resolution.

At Monday night’s State College Borough Council meeting, the council member would do just that after council president Donald Hahn added an amendment to the proposal.

Hahn’s amendment to the resolution against Pennsylvania’s Voter ID Law expressed certain lenience towards identification cards being made available at no cost and more time given to voters to obtain such identification prior to voting.

Morris stated his disproval by saying that regardless of more time and lower costs to voters, the law is ‘still anti-Democratic’ and would suppress the votes of the young adults, senior citizens and the poor.

‘The law is still flying in the face of 200 years of American history,’ he said.

Morris went on to apologize to the avid supporters of his resolution that attended the public hearing on Aug. 20, saying that those who came out to the hearing deserved more.

‘The least they deserved was a straight-forward resolution and this sure as hell isn’t one,’ Morris stated before voting against his own proposal.

The amended resolution passed with a vote of 5-2, with council member Ron Filippelli echoing Morris’ opposition.

At the beginning of the meeting, Mayor Elizabeth Goreham presented a proclamation to Charles Dumas to declare September as Prostate Cancer Awareness month. Dumas encouraged men, especially those over 40, to receive regular prostate exams.

‘Living with cancer is difficult,’ he said. ‘But it’s certainly better than the alternative.’

Council also spent time on the following:

• Representatives from Stahl Shaeffer Engineering conducted a presentation on the Atherton Street Corridor Project. Benefits to pedestrians and drivers of the 100 blocks of North and South Atherton were proposed, such as more lighting, brick sidewalk accents, better visibility and improved crosswalks at the College Ave. and Beaver Ave. intersections. Council will review and be asked to authorize the second phase of the project at its Sept. 17 meeting.

• Discussion on the Pugh Street Streetscape Plan was lead by Alan Sam. The plan, which includes turning lanes to Beaver Ave., covered and individual bike racks and improved lighting, will have to work around the schedule for the replacement of the Pugh Street parking garage.

• Council recessed to discuss its economic development plan and the West End Revitalization Plan. This plan would essentially be a ‘makeover’ to the West End of Penn State’s campus and into the surrounding downtown area.