I appreciated Janet Sellard’s recent letter to the editor (Aug. 27) regarding data centers in our area. If there is one thing that most residents of the region agree on, it is that data centers, as we currently understand them, are not something we want on our farms or in our backyards.
However, I am less optimistic about Stacy Garrity’s willingness to have our backs than Josh Shapiro’s, and here is why.
First, Garrity is in lockstep with President Donald Trump, who has made it abundantly clear that he wants to develop data centers rapidly.
He told Fox News that data centers were a “tremendous thing” and marveled at why anyone would oppose them.
In an interview with Punchbowl News, he said, “I don’t think they’re unsightly,” and referred to them as “the most incredible buildings I’ve ever seen,” going on for “two-and-a-half, three miles.”
When Garrity was asked if she was out of line with the president on data centers, she confirmed that she is 100% aligned with him.
Garrity has closely aligned herself with Trump on every issue — supporting his cost-raising tariffs, cuts to our healthcare and his efforts to remove the power of states to oversee our own elections.
She has already shown she is untrustworthy, so we have no reason to trust her to do the right thing on data centers.
Not to mention, Garrity has loudly echoed Trump talking points on everything from his pointless war in Iran and reckless tariffs driving up the price of gas to his cover-up of the Epstein files, which Garrity said were no big deal.
Gov. Josh Shapiro has taken decisive action to protect our communities from unwanted data center development.
Shapiro demonstrated true leadership by doing what he always does best: Listening to the people of Pennsylvania and responding in kind. In signing an executive order on Aug. 18, Shapiro significantly altered the landscape for data centers in our commonwealth.
The executive order requires developers to obtain local approvals before receiving any state permits; empowers local communities in the decision-making process; mandates that developers sign a legally binding commitment to adhere to standards focused on energy, affordability, environmental protection, and workforce and economic development; and promotes transparency and community engagement.
He also terminated expedited permit reviews.
Garrity has proven herself to be a rubber stamp for Donald Trump and will say and do whatever he says.
We cannot trust her to look out for us. Pennsylvanians need a leader who listens, learns, and is responsive to the people they serve, no someone who serves Donald Trump.
Don Wilver, Jr.
New Columbia
This letter to the editor appeared in The Daily Item on September 2, 2026. A version of this letter also appeared in the Milton Standard-Journal on September 1, 2026.