Core Communities in Crisis Task Force Issues Dire Warning About Pennsylvania Cities

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Some somber news for Friday!

The Pennsylvania League of Cities and Municipalities Core Communities In Crisis Task Force met at Albright College for their third and last session.  Allentown Mayor Ed Pawlowski told the group on Thursday that “our cities will start to topple like dominos in five to ten years.”  Reading’s Mayor, Tom McMahon, was less optimistic stating he predicts two to three years.

The task force calls for systemic reform via the state Legislature for such items as public pension plans and labor contract laws.  Archaic codes, inflexible taxing structures, mandated personnel benefits and rising costs are placing huge burdens on cities and municipalities across Pennsylvania. 

Reading Mayor Tom McMahon asked the question, “How much more can we extract from people?”  Pottstown feels your pain.  Many here are asking the same question!

Shenandoah Men Guilty Of Federal Hate Crime In Beating Death Of Immigrant

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Two Schuylkill County men were found guilty of federal hate crimes in the beating death of a Mexican immigrant, Luis Ramirez. Brandon Piekarsky (18) and Derrick Donchak (20), both of Shenandoah, were convicted by a jury in Scranton.  Donchak was also convicted of two other counts relating to a cover-up plot with Shenandoah Police.  At the time ol the 2008 beating, the accused were high school football players.

Both men were taken away in handcuffs and ordered held until their January 24th sentencing.  They were acquitted of more serious charges by a jury in Pottsville.

Two Shenandoah police officers will go on trial early next year for their role in the attempted cover-up.

Lancaster County Baby & Toddler Expo – October 29th & 30th

Check out this awesome event at the Lancaster County Convention Center!  The website has all the information on this fun-filled two-day extravaganza. 

The new convention center in Lancaster is getting great reviews from groups using the venue.  It is located just off historic Penn Square in Lancaster City. 

Information on the Expo:

http://www.lancasterbabyexpo.com/

Information on the convention center:

http://www.lancasterconventionhotel.com/