Winning a siting ordinance could not shield it from political turnover at City Hall

Evidence

In the wake of the Court’s decision, it appeared that the political tide might also be turning against CRCQL. In 1996, Republicans regained control of Chester after the city’s residents had a mixed reaction to the city’s short-lived Democratic administration. The turnover at City Hall may be attributable in part to low voter turnout, not surprising in lowincome communities of color, and in part to the tumultuous Democratic administration. Residents were understandably concerned that the Republican-controlled City Council would overturn the recently enacted zoning ordinance. The extent to which the tide is turning against CRCQL is unclear, however. The zoning ordinance remains intact, and despite the fact that the Republican mayor of Chester announced his full support of the Cherokee permit application, that application was denied by the DEP. — Luke W. Cole and Sheila R. Foster, From the Ground Up, 286