Residents press commissioners on proposed ICE detention center, data centers and Brads landfill

Dozens of local residents used the public‑comment period at the June 10 Schuylkill County commissioners meeting to press elected officials about a proposed ICE detention center in Tremont Township and to raise broader concerns about data center projects and the Brads landfill.

Residents who spoke on the detention center included Lara Wiscount, Joe Wiscount and Les DePrimo of Tremont and Pottsville; several members of the Miller family from Orwigsburg (Ava, Claire and Ella Miller) also commented. Speakers expressed opposition to the proposal and asked the commissioners to consider potential local impacts. The minutes record these remarks but do not record a formal board response or any vote related to the proposal during this meeting.

Data centers drew repeated comment from speakers including Steven Moyer (Mechanicsville), Roseanne Weinert and Gina Cappell (Butler Township), Brenda Wiscount (Tremont), Bernie Karpovich (Butler Township), Mike Z and Craig (Schuylkill Haven), Sabrina McLaughlin (Minersville) and Ira Ressler (Schuylkill Haven). Speakers raised general concerns about the projects’ local effects; the minutes do not record technical testimony or county staff findings during this meeting.

Commenters also raised concerns about the Brads landfill (speakers included Dave Plachko and Adrian Portland) and cited contacts with the Department of Environmental Protection and coal‑lands issues (Shirley Wagner). The meeting record notes these concerns were voiced during public comment but no regulatory or contractual action was taken by the commissioners at this session.

Because the minutes summarize public comment by speaker and topic but do not include verbatim full quotes or formal board action on these topics, the record shows community concern raised to the board but leaves the substantive matters—permit reviews, regulatory oversight and any formal county position—unresolved as of this meeting.