Improving the Environment
Stoker first came to public attention in the early 1990s as a vocal member of the environmental group CLEAN, which expressed critical concern over the operation of an infectious medical waste incinerator in the township. After five years of CLEAN repeatedly filing official complaints and legal actions, an employee of the incinerator admitted that the incinerator operators were systematically violating a number of environmental laws. The incinerator was closed, eliminating thousands of pounds of lead, mercury, dioxins, and other noxious emissions into our atmosphere.
Research by CLEAN members in the 1990s revealed that the Butler County Water and Sewer District had illegally overloaded the sewer and water systems in West Chester, endangering the health of residents and threatening further commercial growth. Catherine Stoker joined with CLEAN member Beth Hauer to file verified complaints with OEPA. As a result, the OEPA brought findings and orders against Butler County, fined them $100,000, and forced them to dramatically increase the capacity of both water and sewer systems serving our community. Consequently, West Chester no longer smells of raw sewage near the Upper Mill Creek Sewage Plant, nor does the community run out of water during hot, dry spells in summer.
The above important environmental improvements were done without the help of even one of our elected officials; which was the impetus for Catherine Stoker first running for office—to help the people when no other elected officials would.
