Pottstonians Turn Out In Large Numbers To Take Back Their Town

A large crowd gathered at Invictus Ministries this evening at 6:30 p.m.  The crowd was so large that the meeting was moved upstairs into the beautiful sanctuary.  The meeting started late because of the venue change.  I can report that Councilors Rhoads, Weand, Toroney, Kirkland, Gibson, Chomnuk were there.  I did not see Councilor Allen but the crowd was large and she may have been there.  Mayor Bonnie Heath, Borough Manager Jason Bobst, Chief Flanders and Montgomery County District Attorney Risa Vetri Ferman were all in attendance.  I saw School Board Member Valerie Harris and Pottstown School Superintendent Dr. Reed Lindley as well.  Code Blue members were in attendance.

Channel 69 News from Allentown was present and interviewed a number of people.

Bishop Everett Debnam, Senior Pastor of Invictus Ministries, called the meeting to order and spoke a few inspiring words.  Unfortunately, I had to leave at that point!  If anyone was there and would like to tell more of the story, please leave a comment!  I would be personally interested in hearing how things went!

Here are a few pictures I was able to snap before rushing off.

Jerry’s Chicken Flies The Coop! Moving To Norco!

Long-time Shoemaker Rd. fixture Jerry’s Chicken is moving to the old Kentucky Fried Chicken site on Route 724 in North Coventry Township.  The move will take place after renovations are completed in January!

Hat tip to SavePottstown! for breaking the story!

Johnstown Fights Blight

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The City of Johnstown, Cambria County, is a post-industrial community just like Pottstown.  Steel was king along with heavy manufacturing.  Those days are gone and communities have fallen on hard times. 

When life hands you lemons, make lemonade.  Johnstown is doing just that.  In an effort to clean up their community and attract middle-income residents, Johnstown has started a program to buy blighted properties, demo them and redevelop the property with a prefabricated home.  These are 3 bedroom, 2.5 bathroom homes that are Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certified.  Meaning these homes are energy-efficient.

This program is a joint effort between the Cambria County Redevelopment Authority and the City of Johnstown.  Funding was obtained through the Neighborhood Stabilization Program (federal).

They intend to transform the entire South Street neighborhood PLUS they are targeting business development and a business development strategy to bring in new business!

This initial project is only a small dent in Johnstown’s blighted housing stock; however, it’s one house at a time, one block at a time.  And that is just what Johnstown officials intend to do.

A Victorian Christmas – Williamsport Embraces Its Heritage And Capitalizes On Tourism

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A Victorian Christmas in Williamsport is not a one trick pony.  The event spans three days and includes a Holiday House Tour, a Holiday Parade downtown, Millionaire’s Row mansion tours, church tours, Williamsport Growers Market, carriage rides at Park Place, a Toy Train Expo, museum tours, a Victorian Soup Luncheon, a Victorian Buffet, a Victorian Tea and a Living Nativity! 

A Victorian Christmas in Williamsport starts this Friday, November 19th and concludes on Sunday, November 21.

For more information and details see their website:

http://www.preservationwilliamsport.org/vcevents.html

Harrisburg Holiday Parade Slated For This Saturday

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The annual Harrisburg Holiday Parade will take place in downtown Harrisburg on Saturday, November 20th.

The parade starts on City Island at 10 a.m., then travels over the Market Street bridge into downtown Harrisburg.

The parade, which marks the beginning of the Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa and New Year’s Day holiday season, will feature an appearance by Santa Claus, commercial floats, marching bands, giant helium balloons and specialty units.

If you are looking for some family fun this Saturday, check out the Harrisburg Holiday Parade.

Turnpike Toll Collectors Poised To Become A Thing Of The Past

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Like State Store employees, PA Turnpike Toll Collectors have an uncertain future.  There is a proposal to make the Pennsylvania Turnpike all-electronic.  E-ZPass transponders and cameras may make humans obsolete on the turnpike.

The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission is reviewing bids for a year-long study to make the 545 mile toll road automated.

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette puts a human face on the story.  You can read it here: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10318/1103248-455.stm